Man jailed for life over Glasgow Christmas Day murder

Mr Spence died in hospital after being stabbed in the stomach

A man convicted of a fatal stabbing in Glasgow on Christmas Day has been jailed for a minimum of 18 years.

Edward Dearie, 27, was found guilty of murdering Stuart Spence after stabbing him in the stomach during the attack in the city's Dalmarnock area last year.

He was also found guilty of trying to kill the victim's friend, Derek Hall, and of attempting to flee justice.

Dearie was identified through his distinctive black T-shirt with silver writing, which was a Christmas present.

During his trial, the court heard how how Mr Spence died in hospital after suffering massive internal bleeding.

As he lay bleeding in the street he told how he had been stabbed by the man with "the black T-shirt with silver writing".

This referred to the T-shirt Dearie had been given as a gift.

Police finally caught up with tele-sales worker Dearie on 11 January in Irvine, Ayrshire, where he was hiding out.

Sentencing him to life at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge William Dunlop QC told Dearie that because of his violent past he would serve at least 18 years before he could apply for parole.

Dearie has a record for assault and carrying a machete and hammer.

The judge told him: "What a waste of a lot of lives - including your own.

"These were lamentable and needless crimes leading to the death of one young man and almost the death of another.

"None of this would have happened if you had only learned from your previous convictions."