Glenrothes killer jailed for 18 years

Killer Ewan Dow, who stabbed innocent victim Daniel Turner 171 times, has been jailed for a minimum of 18 and a half years. A judge said Dow, below, was guilty of “incomprehensible conduct” and “a level of determined brutality”.

A KILLER who stabbed his innocent victim 171 times has been jailed for a minimum of 18 and a half years.

A judge said Ewan Dow, top, was guilty of “incomprehensible conduct” and “a level of determined brutality”.

Dow carried out a frenzied and unprovoked attack on 21-year-old Daniel Turner, right, — a man he called a “lovely lad” — in a Fife park last October.

Lord Turnbull jailed Dow, 25, for life yesterday after he pleaded guilty to murder.

It is believed the level of violence and number of wounds is among the worst seen in a Scottish court case.

The judge said Dow had been acting in a “frightening manner” before the killing adding: “You decided to vent your frustration and anger and he (Mr Turner) was the victim for that purpose.

“What you did was truly horrific and displayed a level of determined brutality.”

Mr Turner’s parents were in court but made no comment after the hearing.

Detective Inspector Scott Cunningham, who led the investigation said: “Thankfully, Dow pled guilty to this heinous attack, sparing the Turner family from the heartache of a trial.”

On October 17 last year — hours before the killing — Dow was “argumentative and aggressive” at a flat in the town and was asked to leave.

He then returned to his home before torching a pillow and then calling a friend to say: “I’m going to jail. I’ve set fire to my house”.

Around midnight, Dow went to Mr Turner’s home where he lived with friend Gary Reay.

Prosecutor Murdoch MacTaggart said Dow later became “increasingly erratic” and told everyone in the flat that he would assault them if they moved.

Mr MacTaggart said Mr Turner was described as “being terrified”. Others decided to leave, but, despite urging Mr Turner to go, he decided to stay.

Around 2am, a friend of Dow’s got a Facebook message that read: “I’m about to murder a wee dafty cause you all take c*** out of me”. Mr MacTaggart said Dow and MrTurner at some point left the victim’s flat, but it was not known why.

The advocate depute added: “They walked to Riverside Park in Glenrothes, where the accused stabbed Daniel Turner to death.”

The court earlier heard how the victim was a “quiet” and “amiable” young man.

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