PARENTS OF MAN KILLED ON CHRISTMAS DAY SLAM
Russell Findlay A thug accused of publicly battering a dad to death on Christmas morning was freed after jurors delivered a not proven verdict.
David McDade, 35, stood trial for murdering dad- ofthree Thomas Roberts, 43, and attacking his friend David McKinnon, 50, in the early hours of December 25 last year.
Railway engineer McDade was convicted of assaulting David but cleared of killing painter and decorator Thomas in what pol ice described as a “sustained attack” in a communal area behind f lat s in Mi lton, Glasgow.
The scene is overlooked by dozens of flats and neighbours spoke of their horror at hearing Thomas plead for help while being attacked.
His devastated family have been left shocked by the verdict after a two-week trial at the High Court in Dumbarton.
Talking exclusively to the Sunday Mail, they have called for not proven to be scrapped.
Thomas’s dad Lenny, 69, a former member of the Parachute Regiment, said: “How the jury could come up with not proven is beyond me.
“It was a cop out. The choice should be between guilty and not guilty.
“A Crown Office employee spoke to us after the trial and even he seemed disgusted.”
Thomas’s mum Margaret, 65, suffers from ill health – including a lung condition – and spent several nights in hospital after the verdict.
She said: “He was my only son and he was a lovely man. Everyone knew he wasn’t a fighter.
“I can’t get over the fact I’ve lost my son. I’ll never see him, never speak to him, never hug him. He’s gone and for what? We never got justice, neither did Thomas.”
Thomas was visiting his friend David McKinnon when McDade, who lived in a flat below, came to the door “ranting and raving like a maniac”.
It was alleged that McDade barged inside and repeatedly punched Thomas on the face and head.
David McKinnon told the court Thomas tried to flee but McDade caught him and continued the brutal assault.
He added that Thomas was “making gurgling noises like he was trying to mumble something but it wasn’t words”. The victim was found unconscious in the back court and