Murderer jailed for life after frenzied sword attack

● Judge describes alcohol-fuelled killing as ‘a brutal, bloody murder’

A man has been jailed for life after murdering someone he had just met by stabbing them with an ornamental sword decorated with a vampire skull.

Adrian Hynd, 52, will serve a minimum of 18 years for killing Alex Forbes in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in an alcohol-fuelled “frenzied attack” on 2 January.

A jury had earlier heard how the 25 year-old victim suffered more than 100 wounds.

Hynd – who had claimed he acted in self-defence – received a life sentence at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.

Lord Ericht told him: “You invited various people back to your home after the pub.

“The next morning, Alexander Forbes lay dead on your floor… your ornamental collector’s sword embedded in his chest.”

He added: “The jury rejected self-defence. You committed a brutal, bloody murder.”

One man swore as sentence was passed, while a woman was taken out of the courtroom in tears.

Hynd had earlier been convicted of murder following a trial in Edinburgh.

A jury heard how science fiction fan Hynd and Mr Forbes had ended up alone in the killer’s home.

The 25-year-old from Edinburgh had gone back to Hynd’s home with two other men to carry on drinking after meeting during a night out. By 3:45am the other men left, leaving Hynd alone with Mr Forbes.

At about 5am police were called to the flat in Victoria Road by Hynd, who claimed he had stabbed Mr Forbes in self-defence. Mr Forbes was grabbed by the neck before being punched and stabbed.

One police officer told the trial that the blood-splattered murder scene had been the “worst” he had ever come across.

Hynd insisted in evidence he struck Mr Forbes after he was attacked first.

A jury heard claims Mr Forbes had earlier been acting aggressively in a pub, showing off his “gunshot wounds” and claiming he was related to a well known Edinburgh family.

Mark Stewart QC, defending, yesterday said: “While he respects the jury’s verdict, Mr 0 Adrian Hynd faces a minimum of 18 years in jail

0 Alex Forbes died in what was described by the judge as ‘a brutal, bloody murder’ in early January Hynd profoundly disagrees with that.”

The advocate added the killer had not been the “initial aggressor” and had injuries “consistent” with him also being attacked.

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.”