Jailed, killer whose victim died 5 years after savage attack
A THUG whose victim died five years after he savagely attacked him was jailed for the killing yesterday.
Jason Gilmour, now 29, repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on Scott Hepburn, leaving him brain damaged and paralysed
The father of one’s injuries were so severe that he was left ‘almost completely immobile’ and had to be fed via a tube.
Shortly after the attack in Ardrossan, Ayrshire, in June 2012, Mr Hepburn’s girlfriend gave birth.
Gilmour, of Kilwinning, Ayrshire, was previously jailed for five years and four months for assaulting Mr Hepburn to the danger of his life.
In April 2017, the young father died at a care home in Glasgow, aged 23, from ‘complications’ related to his injuries.
Gilmour subsequently stood trial accused of murder.
Earlier this month, a jury at the High Court in Glasgow convicted him of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.
When the thug returned to court for sentencing yesterday he was jailed for four years and six months.
Judge Lady Stacey told him: ‘What happened that day to Mr Hepburn was shocking behaviour on your part.
‘You do appreciate how shocking it was and told a social worker you took responsibility for what you did that day.
‘The sentence would have been ten years on the basis a young man lost his life. You have already served five years and four months of that.’
Defence QC Tony Graham said: ‘He has shown empathy towards his victim and regrets what happened.’
At an earlier hearing, pathologist Dr Marjorie Turner told prosecutor Richard Goddard: ‘I have no doubt Mr Hepburn’s death was as a result of complications of his traumatic brain injury.’
One of Mr Hepburn’s carers said he was almost completely immobile as a result of his injuries and would communicate via winks or by lifting his knuckles.
The court heard that, following the attack in 2012, Gilmour told police: ‘Scott started pushing me and then he came running towards me and the two of us started fighting.’
He admitted punching Mr Hepburn four or five times, but denied kicking and stamping on his head.
But he then said: ‘I was intoxicated. I’ve maybe took it a bit too far. I probably did go a wee bit too far on him.’
Gilmour has several previous convictions including some for violence and is currently serving a 12-month term. His latest sentence will start at the end of the current sentence.