Man faces life in jail for ‘cold-blooded murder’

A man is facing life in jail for the “cold-blooded” murder of another man in the street.

Robert Letham stabbed to death Steven Russell, 20, following a confrontation in Glasgow’s Possilpark in February this year.

The pair were earlier said to have had a row about Letham’s mother. Jurors viewed the brutal attack through graphic CCTV footage.

Letham – who claimed he had been “scared” of his victim – was later arrested after fleeing to Somerset.

The 32-year-old was yesterday convicted of the killing following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

It emerged he already had a violent past including crimes of assault with a blade.

Lady Rae told him yesterday: “The Crown described this as a pre-meditated, cold blooded murder and I endorse those words.

“You have a terrible record and the jury saw your behaviour on CCTV, as did I.”

The judge said she wanted to consider the minimum Letham must spend behind bars before passing sentence today.

But Letham replied: “It won’t make a difference. Good luck getting me here.”

Lady Rae then said: “Is that a threat? This is not helping you, Mr Letham.”

The judge ordered Letham to be returned to the cells with the case adjourned until today.

The court heard how let ham and Mr Russell – known as Steph – had been “arguing over the phone” before the murder on 10 February.