Tragic Paige ‘would have loved a new wee sister’
Fernando at pitch-side and, above, with some of his old Rangers teammates. deli owner John Leathem in March last year in a savage attack a judge branded “truly reprehensible and impossible to comprehend”.
The 32-year-old admitted knifing the schoolgirl more than 60 times after she went into the shop to buy a sandwich.
Her body was later discovered by passers-by in a wooded area behind a path off Great Western Road in the town. A post-mortem examination found she had 146 individual wounds, including 43 to her face and neck.
Leathem was arrested three days later and sentenced to 27 years in jail – reduced to 23 on appeal.
His lawyer told the High Court in Glasgow the killing was a “spontaneous, gross overreaction”.
Ian Duguid QC said there was no explanation for Leathem’s actions and “no one could possibly” have predicted the killer acting the way he did.
He described Paige’s murder as “inexplicable”, insisting Leathem had no history of anger.
The schoolgirl’s family previously welcomed his sentence by insisting there was now “one less evil man in the world”.
But they later branded the justice system “a joke” after claiming Leathem was “in the safest prison in Glasgow, with a skills centre where he can gain a degree and also invite family in to make them a meal”.
And they lashed out at the appeal process, adding: “Even if he got out at 59, he’d still have a life, so 27 years isn’t long enough. He’s totally deluded. “This appeal is cruel.” Leathem’s sentence was reduced earlier this year after judges said he had “expressed remorse”.
Their ruling stated: “The appellant was a family man of previous good character who had not offended before and who had expressed remorse.
“The murder premeditated.”
In an emotional Facebook tribute posted on the anniversary of the schoolgirl’s death earlier this month, Pamela, 33, wrote: “A year ago our precious angel gained her wings.
“Fly high beautiful girl, dance with the angels and show heaven how beautiful it really can be. “Remembering you with a smile.” The mum said she is 30 weeks along with the new baby, who will join the rest of the family including children Andrew, 11, Peyton, 5, and one-year-old Lucas.
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