The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Drug dealer died in row ‘over a tenner’
Argument flared when man was refused credit for buying drugs
A man who killed his drug dealer “over a tenner” has been warned to expect a lengthy prison sentence.
William Paterson, 46, of Lismore Avenue, Kirkcaldy, repeatedly stabbed James Beveridge, 41, on the head, neck and body during a frenzied attack in the town on October 15 2016.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard yesterday how Paterson had fallen out with Mr Beveridge because he wanted to buy drugs on credit.
Police also suspected Paterson wanted refunded over “dud” Valium tablets he had previously bought from Mr Beveridge.
However, the dealer refused to do business with his client and after the pair exchanged text messages, they met up.
Prosecution lawyer Ashley Edwards QC told the court Mr Beveridge suffered cuts to his head and a wound to the left side of his neck.
Ms Edwards added: “Despite the injury he had sustained, the deceased apparently managed to get to his feet telling the accused ‘You’re going down for a murder all over a tenner.’”
The story emerged after Paterson pleaded guilty before judge Lord Armstrong to a culpable homicide charge. Ms Edwards told the court the pair knew each other from the “local drug scene”.
She added: “The deceased was a known supplier of Valium tablets, albeit at a relatively low level.
“It would seem likely from the tone and content of messages that the accused was seeking to purchase drugs, probably Valium tablets, on tick.
“The deceased refused and they arrange to meet at the locus of the fatal attack, presumably to resolve the dispute.”
Ms Edwards told the court the content of the texts sent between the two.
She said: “In a text timed at 5.50pm, the deceased told the accused ‘Ah don’t do tick as they are not mine, so if you want to be like that, bring it on, I don’t need your business once a fortnight.’
“In response in a message to the deceased at 5.54pm, the accused texted ‘meet me now ya p***k I’m puttin’ my coat on. I’ll get you at the circle F***y.’”
Moments before the confrontation, the court heard Mr Beveridge asked a man, Gary Walkingshaw, 38, to hand him a knuckle duster.
Ms Edwards added: “A verbal confrontation followed between the accused and the deceased and in the course of this confrontation, the witness Walkingshaw stated he noticed something glinting up the accused’s sleeve.
“The deceased repeatedly struck the accused on the head with the knuckle duster.
“The accused was in possession of a knife and struck the deceased around the head causing two superficial injuries and one penetrating wound to the left side of his neck.
“The witness Walkingshaw was ultimately able to disarm the accused and thereafter threw the knife on to the pavement out of harm’s way.”
The court heard medical staff tried to save Mr Beveridge’s life. However, he died on October 16.
Lord Armstrong gave his condolences to members of Mr Beveridge’s family, who were sitting in court.
He told Paterson: “You have pleaded guilty to a grave crime. There are no circumstances which can justify the taking of another person’s life.
“It is inevitable a substantial custodial sentence will follow.” Sentence was deferred for reports. Paterson will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on August 11.