Man killed neighbour before going on spending spree

A man who murdered a much-loved grandfather in his home before going on a spending spree with the victim's bank card has been jailed for life.

John Farquhar, 59, was jailed for at least 22 years after he repeatedly stabbed his neighbour Garry Thomson to death with a knife at a flat in Guardbridge, Fife, on 17 October 2023.

Farquhar went out drinking in nearby St Andrews after the murder and lied to one of the victim's concerned daughters that he had not seen her father.

Farquhar admitted repeatedly striking Mr Thomson and stabbing him with a knife as well as attempting to defeat the ends of justice after the killing.

The court heard how Farquhar had visited Mr Thomson at his home the morning of the murder.

Advocate depute James Irvine told the court: "Within the flat it is believed that the deceased asked the accused about his past and claimed that he knew he was involved in the drug scene.

"The accused, fearful that sensitive information about him would become known in the local community, lashed out at the deceased with a knife striking him on the neck and body at least seven times," he said.

The victim fell to the floor and Farquhar fled with the knife to his downstairs flat. He later told police he returned to the victim's home looking for painkillers and left with his bank cards and house keys.

Farquhar travelled to St Andrews after the murder and CCTV from the town centre showed him going into shops and buying "numerous items" with the victim's bank cards.

The prosecutor said: "The accused then spent the day in Aikman's Bar drinking in the company of two individuals he knew from the local area. He used a bank card belonging to the deceased to pay for drinks for the company."

In the meantime, Mr Thomson's youngest daughter, Yazzmine Florence, 34, had been trying to contact her father. The next day she went to his home with a friend and contacted police with her concerns.

As they waited for officers to arrive, Farquhar walked past and Ms Florence asked him if he had seen her father. He told her: "Aw, I've not saw him."

They went to the deceased's flat and phoned his mobile but could not hear it ringing.

Farquhar touched a plant pot beside the door to see if there was heat from cigarettes in the container which might have shown that the victim was outside recently.

He went to his own flat before leaving with a rucksack and told Ms Florence that he was going to Leuchars and if he saw her father would tell him to call her.

Police arrived and entry was forced to the victim's flat. He was found on the living room floor with blood pooled around his head.

A detective, who had dealings with Farquhar, called him on 19 October and he admitted that he had murdered his neighbour.

The prosecutor said: "He stated he had put a knife to the neck of the deceased due to them arguing over his past."

Police found Farquhar walking on the Fife coastal path and arrested him.

At the time of murder, Farquhar was a suspect in a drug trafficking case in Edinburgh. He was jailed for 30 months last year at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for a drug supply charge.

He has previously been jailed three times at the High Court for crimes of violence, including assault to severe injury and danger of life.

Defence solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin said Farquhar had moved to "a quiet residential area of Fife" having found himself embroiled in offending in Edinburgh and was anxious that others did not know his whereabouts.

He became concerned that Mr Thomson had found out information about him and attacked him, Mr Gilmartin said.

He said Farquhar was due to stand trial for the murder but pled guilty as "his conscience would not allow him to proceed to trial".

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lord Scott said: "Callously, as recognised by your counsel, you also used his bank cards to supply yourself and others with drink as he lay dead and undiscovered."

The judge said he had read victim impact statements from the deceased's daughters and added: "I am told you have stolen their peace."

Advocate depute James Irvine said: "Mr Thomson has four daughters. He was a much-loved father and grandfather."