Man who killed brother has bid to reduce jail term rejected

Blair Logan, 27, is serving a life sentence after New Year’s Day murder

A man who murdered his brother by setting fire to him as he slept on New Year’s Day has had an attempt to appeal against the length of his sentence rejected.

Blair Logan poured petrol on his younger brother Cameron, 23, and the bed he was sharing with girlfriend Rebecca Williams at their family home in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.

Ms Williams, from Wormit, was rescued from the fire and treated in hospital, but Cameron died while his parents were treated for smoke inhalation.

Logan, 27, pleaded guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder in July.

He was given a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years at the High Court in Edinburgh in August.

He lodged an intention to appeal against the sentence later that month but a spokesman for the Judicial Office for Scotland confirmed it has now been rejected by judges.

The two brothers were said to have had a “hostile” relationship and Logan told police they had not spoken since the death of their grandmother in 2013.

The 27-year-old admitted pouring petrol “with the intention of maiming or crippling” Cameron, but claimed he did not mean to kill him.

The attack was said to be in retaliation for a recent incident at the house when his brother had punched him.

In passing sentence, Judge Lady Scott said Cameron had died a “horrible death” and that Logan “acted with wicked recklessness”.

His sentence was reduced from 24 years due to his early guilty plea.

Lady Scott accepted court reports that Logan has “abnormal personality traits” and features of autism, but said there was no suggestion Logan had a mental disorder and was fully criminally responsible for his actions.

Logan’s parents wrote a letter to the court before his sentencing which said they “find it extremely difficult to reconcile the Blair they know with the Blair who caused Cameron’s death”.

Lady Scott said: “I cannot imagine the pain they will forever endure from what you did, losing in effect both their sons.”

Pictures: PA. Left: Blair Logan, who murdered his younger brother Cameron, top right, by setting fire to him as he slept in bed next to his girlfriend, Rebecca Williams, at their family home.