10 Years' Prison For Friend Killer

A man's been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stabbing his friend to death in front of the victim's family.

Jamie Wishart, 22, had earlier been found guilty of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow.

It's after the 22 year-old fatally stabbed his friend in front of Connor's family in Simon Crescent in Methilhill last April.

The 17 year-old was taken to the Victoria hospital in Kirkcaldy, where he later died.

Wishart was originally accused of murder, but a jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of cuplable homicide.

Police have welcomed the sentence, calling Connor's death "a needless tragedy".

Detective Inspector Martin MacLean from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, who led the investigation said: "This is a significant sentence and is testament to the effective joint approach by Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to tackle knife crime and remove offenders from our communities.

“This attack, and the subsequent death of Connor, had a huge impact on the close knit community of Methilhill in general and particularly upon the residents of Simon Crescent.

"Connor's death was a needless tragedy, which involved two young men who had known each other for a significant part of their young lives and had grown up together.

"Jamie Wishart carried out a meaningless act of violence, which resulted in Connor sustaining a single, but fatal, stab wound to the heart. This is a telling reminder of the dangers of carrying any knife, large or small.

"Any knife can kill and the risks in carrying and using weapons are plain to see from this case. We are committed to working alongside the Crown Office to bring those responsible for violent offences to justice. If you carry or use a knife you will face the full force of the law and the likelihood of a significant prison sentence.

"At this time I would again like to pay tribute to the dignity shown by the family of Connor Cleave and the professionalism of my team throughout this investigation."