Killers locked up for 26 years

Sean Banks (18) was stabbed through the heart by Paul Kane (25), in North British Road, Uddingston. He was helped by Liam Donnelly (19) who headbutted and slashed another youth, Daniel McAuley, who was trying to intervene.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the attack came after 16-year-old Chloe Brennan alleged that Sean had hit her.

She had wanted him “battered” and the pair obliged, attacking Mr Banks, of Viewpark.

Kane was convicted of murder following trial last month. He has 16 previous convictions which are mostly for violence.

Co-accused Donnelly, of Bothwell, was found guilty of the lesser crime of culpable homicide.

Yesterday (Tuesday) at the High Court in Edinburgh judge Lord Armstrong jailed Kane for life and told him he’ll have to serve at least 17 years before he’s able to apply for parole.

Donnelly was ordered to be detained for nine years.

The judge told them: “There is nothing I can say which can compensate the family and relatives of Sean Banks for their loss.

“There is no sentence which will be sufficient in their eyes.”

In evidence, Miss Brennan said: “Paul asked if Sean had any weapons on him. I said someone earlier mentioned he had a knife and Paul said he had a bigger one.”

Brennan thought he was only joking, but Kane called back and told her “That’s it done.”

The court heard Mr Banks was stabbed four times after being confronted on September 12 last year.

But Kane insisted he did not strike the teenager deliberately, adding: “I can’t remember stabbing him. I didn’t mean for him to die. He kept coming at me.”

Kane’s advocate Mark Stewart QC told the court yesterday: “He appreciates the gravity of the offence of which he has been convicted and I would ask for whatever leniency is available.”

Donnelly’s advocate, Tony Graham, said his client accepted he would be sent to prison, but he had a good work and education record.

Mr Graham added: “He has contributed to society rather than been a burden.”

Prosecutors said the case was all too familiar.

Nicky Patrick, procurator fiscal for homicide and major crime, said “Paul Kane chose to take up a knife with the purpose of doing his victim serious harm.

“This is another, sadly all too familiar, incident where a knife has led to a needless death and ruined lives.

“The use of blades as weapons is unacceptable and we will continue to do our utmost to prosecute those responsible for violence and knife crime.”