Father’s suicide bid after killing his wife and son

Man denies murder but admits causing deaths

A DRUNKEN father killed his wife and their young son before attempting to commit suicide.

Garry Lockhart, 33, strangled his wife of three years Janet, 29, and smothered two-year-old Michael after an argument at home in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, last December 28.

He later described his wife as an “amazing mum” and the boy as a “perfect son” as someone who meant “everything” to him.

Lockhar t, an inmate at Saughton Prison, Edinburgh, was found in a car parked in a layby having taken tablets.

The evidence emerged at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Lockhart is accused of murder. He denies the charges, but has admitted killing his wife and son.

The court heard concerns grew about the whereabouts of the family after Mrs Lockhart’s mother and father had not heard from her shortly after they had spent Christmas together.

Her father, John Hood, 58, said his wife had gone to the Lockharts’ family home on December 28, where Mrs Lockhart’s car was parked. Garry Lockhart’s car was missing.

Mr Hood said he contacted the police. That evening Mr Hood went with officers to the house. He rang his daughter’s mobile and they could hear it ringing inside the property.

Inside, the bodies of Mrs Lockhart and Michael were found in the main bedroom, together with three notes, one of which read: “I am not a bad person. Shots of alcohol made me bad. I hope I rot in hell”. Another informed the VICTIM: Janet Lockhart was described as an ‘amazing mum’. police the letter’s author had “killed my family” and another added: “How could I kill Janet and Michael. They were my life. I loved Janet and Michael”.

Lockhart was later taken to hospital by ambulance after a police officer found him in a disorientated state in a car by the A703 between Penicuk and Peebles. Lockhart admitted feeling suicidal.

The court also heard how a former colleague of Lockhart at a funeral parlour said the accused adored his family and had been looking forward to spending Christmas with them.

However, Paul Simpson, 33, said Lockhart had been “hysterical” in a telephone conversation with him on December 28. The witness said Lockhart kept saying: “I have lost my family and done some-

I am not a bad person. Shots of alcohol made me bad. I hope I rot in hell. They were my life. I loved Janet and Michael

VICTIM: Michael was smothered by his father at home. thing stupid’.” Mr Simpson added: “I asked him about that. He said, ‘They are away. I have done something really bad’. He was talking very, very quickly and crying”.

Mr Simpson said he thought there had been an argument and Mrs Lockhart had gone to her parents. Advocate Depute Iain McSporran, QC, asked Mr Simpson if he thought something had happened to Janet and Michael. “No” said Mr Simpson “He adored his wife and child. He would never harm them”.

The court heard Lockhart had written to Mr Simpson from prison, telling him he had tried to take his own life, adding, “I wish I had not got drunk that night”. The letter described Janet as a soul mate and an “amazing woman” and Michael as “a perfect son”.

Mr Hood accepted under crossexamination from Mr McSporran that his son-in-law was prone to drinking, which had caused problems in the relationship.

Asked what impact the deaths had had on him, Mr Hood said: “There are no words to describe it.”

The trial continues. PUPILS from Knightswood Secondary, home to the Dance School of Scotland, perform at the newly refurbished Kelvingrove Bandstand.

They joined members of the the work of Osiligi Charity Projects, which support developments in the Maasai Warriors’ home country through money from tours in the UK. Picture: Colin Templeton