Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘Vampire’ killer’s sentence appeal
A KILLER who plunged a “vampire sword” into his victim is appealing his sentence.
Adrian Hynd, 52, repeatedly stabbed Alexander Forbes, 25, with an 18-inch blade at his home in Kirkcaldy on January 2 2017.
He was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of murder at the High Court in Edinburgh last year.
But Hynd is now appealing his sentence with a hearing set to take place this week.
Jurors heard how Mr Forbes suffered more than 100 wounds during an attack in which he fought to save his own life.
Hynd turned on Mr Forbes, of Edinburgh, after the pair had spent the evening drinking in Kirkcaldy’s Windsor Bar.
They then headed back to Hynd’s flat on the town’s Victoria Road.
The sci-fi fan stabbed his victim on the abdomen, buttocks, lower back and thighs. The court heard how there were also 10 incise wounds on his face, head and neck.
When police discovered Mr Forbes’ body, the weapon was still stuck i n place.
It had punctured his lungs and gone into his spine.
Hynd claimed throughout his trial that he was acting in self-defence.
A judge ordered him to serve a minimum of 18 years in prison.
Lord Ericht said in sentencing: “You invited various people you had just met back to your house after the pub. The next morning, Alexander Forbes lay dead on your living room floor, your ornamental collectors’ sword embedded in his chest.
“The jury rejected self-defence. You committed a brutal, bloody murder.”
He added: “I have listened carefully to what has been said on your behalf in mitigation and I’ve taken it all into account.
“You accept that you have taken a life and require to be punished and maintain that it was in self-defence, although this was rejected by the jury. You have expressed remorse for your actions.
“Having regard to the whole circumstances, the punishment part will be one of 18 years.
“This period of 18 years is backdated to January 2 2017, when you were first taken into custody.”
Hynd’s appeal will be heard at the High Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh later this week.