TWO killers have been jailed for life after viciously assaulting their victim on his birthday in Irvine, leading to his death almost three weeks later.
Malcolm McCandlish passed away in hospital following the violent head-kicking attack in the town centre in September 2024.
The 43-year-old was set upon by Simon Roberts, 38, and Sean McKie, 37, in High Street and knocked unconscious, initially declining emergency treatment before succumbing to his injuries in hospital.
Roberts, who claimed he had acted in self defence, and McKie were found guilty by a majority of jury members of killing Mr McCandlish on April 14, following a week-long trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
When they returned to the dock on Tuesday, May 19, Judge Lady Drummond told them: "You were both convicted by the jury of murder and assault to injury and disfigurement.
"Mr McCandlish was 43, a much-loved dad, stepdad, son, brother, uncle and partner. He was known for his kindness and compassion.
MORE: Pair GUILTY of murder after vicious head-kick assault in Irvine town centre
"The victim impact statement told me the devastating impact this has had on his family, partner and friends. They have described their lives as shattered and their grief all consuming.
"It was senseless violence from you two and your utter disregard for human life has taken that away from them.
"Nothing I can say or do can change that for them.
"As you both understand, for murder, the punishment has been fixed by law and you each will serve a sentence of life imprisonment.
"I need to reflect the crime of murder and deter others from committing murder."
She sentenced Roberts to a minimum of 18 years and McKie to serve a minimum of 17 years for both charges.
MORE: Murder trial shown video footage of fatal Irvine head-kick assault
This will be backdated to November 2024 for Roberts and January 2024 for McKie.
CCTV images after the assault were shown during the trial, of McKie being slapped on the back by Roberts, along with a selfie of both smiling.
It was also revealed after the verdict was confirmed that Roberts has five previous convictions for assault, including to severe injury and permanent disfigurement which involved the use of a knife.
Defence counsel Graeme Brown, for Roberts, told the court: "Clearly only one sentence can be imposed.
"He does feel remorse and feels the pain he has caused to Mr McCandlish's family. He is devastated for their loss."
Thomas Ross KC, defending McKie, said: "He is aware that for the conviction of murder, my lady must impose a sentence of life imprisonment, he accepts responsibility for what he did and regrets the consequences bitterly.
"The CCTV would have made it difficult for him to take another position and he never did at any stage dispute that he carried out the acts.
"The issue was whether he should take direct full responsibility for what he did."
Speaking after the verdict outside the High Court in Glasgow, the victim's father, Malcolm McCandlish Senior, told the Times: "It's a result for Malcolm, as long as he got justice, that was all I cared about."
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