Two men have been jailed for life for the murder of a father on the doorstep of his Ayrshire home. Kieran Lindsay and Marshall Andrew Strachan were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after being found guilty of killing John Taylor, 44, at his home in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, on October 18, 2024.
Brutal and targeted attack
The pair were each ordered to serve at least 18 years behind bars. During sentencing, Lord Arthurson described the killing as a “pre-planned, concerted and targeted exercise in violent retribution”. He told the men: “You in effect disembowelled a man outside his home address in a single blow attack with a knife which had a minimum blade length of 9 inches, all as one of you was masked, leaving your victim to bleed to death as his neighbours sought to comfort and care for him.”
Strachan was armed with the bladed weapon and had his face covered when the pair arrived at the address in a car. As John answered his front door, he was struck once in the abdomen. The weapon was never recovered, but a forensic pathologist concluded it had penetrated at least 23.5cm into John's body, meaning it had a minimum blade length of around nine inches.
Fatal injuries and aftermath
The single wound caused catastrophic damage to the inferior vena cava, the largest vein in the human body, as well as the liver. John died from blood loss. His neighbours rushed to help him as he lay dying, but Lindsay and Strachan fled the scene. A 999 call made at 1.51pm captured one of those trying to help John describing the horrifying extent of his injuries: “It looks like his intestines are out. His insides are hanging out…I think he’s gone.” John was pronounced dead at his home at 2.26pm.
Lord Arthurson said the evidence showed the pair had acted together before, during and after the killing in what was “almost a textbook illustration of planned concert” in a murder case. The judge said Lindsay had instigated the attack, while Strachan carried it out, but decided there should be no difference between the sentences handed to the pair.
Disposal of evidence
After the killing, they travelled away from the scene in the same car, with Strachan discarding the murder weapon. Lindsay later burned his clothing on Barassie beach, while Strachan destroyed other incriminating items near a wooded area in Kilwinning. Lord Arthurson said the pair had subsequently “proceeded to destroy or dispose of items potentially linking you with your crime”.
Detective Superintendent Graham McCreadie described the killing as a “brutal, pre-meditated and targeted murder”. He said: “Our thoughts remain with the John Taylor’s family and friends at this difficult time. Nothing will ever make up for their loss, but I hope they can find some comfort in seeing justice being done.”
Tribute to the victim
John's family attended the trial throughout, with Lord Arthurson paying tribute to their “quiet dignity and admirable restraint” as they listened to lengthy and disturbing evidence about his death. The judge said Mr Taylor had been a “beloved father, son and brother” and a “generous and thoughtful man”. He added that his death had left “an unfillable void” in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
A third man, Kiey O’Connor, 28, had also faced charges in connection with the attack. He pleaded guilty to drugs offences and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court on June 24.
