Man sentenced to life for horrific Fife murder

Adrian Hynd killed Alex Forbes in frenzied knife attack in Kirkcaldy flat

A man has been sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in jail for the brutal murder of Alex Forbes in Kirkcaldy earlier this year.

Adrian Hynd, now aged 52, was previously found guilty at Edinburgh High Court of stabbing the 25-year-old to death at a flat in Victoria Road on January 25.

Mr Forbes, who was from Edinburgh, and two other men went back to Hynd’s flat to continue drinking after meeting him during a night out in the town.

The two other men left around 3.45am and at around 5am Hynd called emergency services claiming to have stabbed Mr Forbes in self-defence.

Hynd has now been given a life sentence at Glasgow High Court, with a minimum of 18 years in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie, of Police Scotland’s major investigation team, said: “Our inquiries established that Alex had been the victim of a frenzied attack and there is no doubt that Hynd, fuelled by alcohol, meant to cause Alex severe harm.

“We welcome this sentence and our condolences remain with Alex’s family.”

Hynd repeatedly stabbed Mr Forbes with an 18-inch blade in a frenzied attack at his home in Kirkcaldy in the early hours.

Mr Forbes suffered more than 100 wounds during a tussle in which he fought to save his own life.

Hynd turned on Mr Forbes after the pair had spent the previous evening drinking in Kirkcaldy’s Windsor Bar.

The science fiction fan stabbed his victim on the abdomen, buttocks, lower back and thighs.

The court heard how there were also 10 incise wounds on Mr Forbes’ face, head and neck.

Hynd also seized his victim’s neck, repeatedly punched him on the head before repeatedly stabbing him.

When police discovered Mr Forbes’ body, the weapon was still stuck in place.

It had punctured his lungs and had gone into his spine.

One experienced police officer described the scene as being “one of the worst he had seen” in almost 30 years of service.

Giving evidence during the trial, Sergeant Alan Stewart described it as a “scene of utter carnage”.

“There was a male person lying on the floor with a large knife, with a very ornate handle, very deep into his chest,” he told the court.

“There was blood on the floors, the radiators and the walls.”

Judge Lord Ericht told Hynd: “You committed a brutal, bloody murder.”

In a statement issued through Police Scotland, Mr Forbes’ family said: “Alex was so young and died so tragically.

“His death has left us utterly shocked and devastated.

“He was loved by his family and everyone who knew him and we are now trying to come to terms with our loss.

“We would ask for our privacy to be respected at this time while we grieve.”

We welcome this sentence and our condolences remain with Alex’s family. DCI KEITH HARDIE

Adrian Hynd, top, stabbed Alex Forbes to death at his flat in Kirkcaldy, above, in January.