A teenager who stabbed a man to death outside his home has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. Jaxon Millar, now 20, fatally wounded Robert McNally, 21, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, on January 18, 2025. The incident occurred after a dispute escalated, leading to a tragic confrontation.
Background of the Incident
The High Court in Glasgow heard that Millar and McNally knew each other but were not friends. The trouble began when a woman known to Millar gave a police statement regarding domestic abuse allegations, which led to someone being held in custody. McNally and his associates were angered by this and wanted to speak to Millar about it.
On the day of the incident, McNally's friends visited Millar's home and argued with him. After being informed of the argument, McNally became enraged and, along with two masked men, drove to Millar's residence. McNally was armed with a machete, and one associate carried a hatchet.
The Attack and Fatal Stabbing
McNally repeatedly banged on the door with the machete, prompting Millar to throw fireworks at the three men from an upstairs window. The three men then entered Millar's flat for 30 to 60 seconds before exiting. One of the men began smashing Millar's car, joined by McNally.
Millar ran out of his home and chased after McNally, catching up and stabbing him once in the back. Prosecutor Greg Farrell stated: "Millar caught up with him and stabbed him once on the back. Mr McNally fell to the ground." The other armed man returned, and a brief altercation ensued, during which Millar was struck on the side of the face with a hatchet. Millar then ran back into his house as McNally and the other man walked away. McNally collapsed, and despite attempts at first aid and emergency services attending, he died at the scene. The cause of death was a stab wound to the chest, with the blade entering the left lung, causing it to collapse.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Millar, from Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, initially faced a murder charge but pleaded guilty to culpable homicide. At the sentencing, Judge Lord Mulholland told Millar: "This was catastrophic and resulted in Mr McNally's death. You used a knife, and this court sees too many cases of knives being used with tragic consequences. This has left tragic consequences which his family will have to live with. You have inflicted a lifetime of grief upon them, and your actions have led you to what you are facing today. This type of violence serves nothing and only leads to tragic consequences."
Defense counsel John Scullion KC argued that Millar acted under extreme provocation and out of character, expressing regret and remorse for the death. He stated: "This was done under extreme provocation and he acted out of character. He accepts full responsibility for his actions and has expressed regret for acting as he did. He has also expressed remorse for the death. He has expressed empathy for the loss the family have suffered."
Tributes to the Victim
After his death, tributes were paid to Robert McNally. His girlfriend, Angel White, said: "Robert darling. Our relationship wasn't perfect, you were the most hot headed, craziest boy I have ever met. But there wasn't anything you wouldn't do for the people you cared about and that's what I loved about you. You have been taken away from us all so sudden and far too early but I feel lucky to say I got to spend the last few months of your life by my side and I'm really going to miss you. I'll always hold a place for you in my heart Robert, forever."
Cousin Nicole Adam added: "My heart is broken into a million pieces, I haven't just lost my little cousin but a little brother."
