Machete murderer of friend dies in jail

A MACHETE murderer who stamped and slashed his friend to death has died in prison.

Robert MacGillivray was jailed for a minimum of 16 years in 2013 for the savage killing of Mark Hunter.

It has now been confirmed MacGillivray, of Inverness, has died in custody at HMP Grampian in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

MacGillivray, 53, was convicted after the savage murder of Mr Hunter, 37, in May 2013.

He repeatedly kicked, stamped and slashed him with the machete, causing so many injuries a pathologist carrying out a post-mortem examination had to give up counting them.

During the trial, the court heard MacGillivray, a former drug addict, had a number of health problems and was so ill he could barely walk down a street.

After the verdict the court heard MacGillivray’s record included previous convictions for affray in Wales and carrying weapons some years ago.

The Scottish Prison Service has confirmed MacGillivray’s death.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Next of kin have been informed and a Fatal Accident Inquiry may be held in due course.”