Ayrshire murder: man faces life in jail for killing partner's son

A serial knife attacker who murdered his partner's son is facing life in jail.

James Thomson fatally struck Callum Pollock in the neck - then lied the 22 year-old had fallen onto a blade during a struggle with him.

Thomson, 35, was said to be annoyed after an earlier chat with the victim about his relationship with Callum's mum Pauline O'Connor.

The killer fled the bloodbath before being caught on camera smiling and "strolling without a care in the world" at a local train station.

Thomson had denied murdering Callum at the flat in Troon, Ayrshire on July 6 2024.

But, he was found guilty today at the High Court in Glasgow and will learn the minimum he will spend behind bars next month.

It emerged after the verdict that he already had a number of convictions involving the use of knives.

Thomson had been at the flat with Callum and Pauline that day - this included the England v Switzerland Euro 2024 football match being on the TV.

A neighbour also later joined them.

The two men had made a couple of trips to a local shop.

After the final time, Pauline, 50, told jurors the atmosphere was "not good".

Thomson and Callum had "a wee wrestle" with the latter having the killer briefly in a "bearhug". Callum had also said he did not want "a fight".

Thomson stormed off to the kitchen - his temper was described as going from "zero to 10".

Pauline and her neighbour tried to stop him coming back into the living room, but he "barged in like a raging bull - red in the face".

It was initially thought he then started punching Callum before it became apparent he had stabbed him.

Thomson was clocked with a black-handled kitchen knife.

A badly injured Callum begged Pauline: "Please help me, mum."

Thomson went upstairs, got changed then fled the flat.

Pauline told the court: "I just went into a pure panic."

The neighbour's partner - who had first aid training - initially came in to try and help Callum as a 999 call was made, but he sadly never recovered.

Thomson gave evidence during the trial.

He recalled a discussion with Callum about Pauline, but that he had "shot him down" when trying to talk about her.

Thomson claimed they ended up "fighting" back in the flat.

The killer said he only grabbed a knife because he was "scared" and that he believed - wrongly - that Callum was armed.

Thomson went on to insist they both fell in the living room and that was when he noticed blood.

He denied deliberately attacking Callum. Thomson accepted lying to police about what happened as he was "in shock...having just been told Callum had passed away".

In cross-examination, prosecutor Kirsten Cockburn put to the thug: "Your position is that he died because he fell on the knife that you were holding?"

Thomson: "Yes."

The advocate depute later stated: "I will suggest that is not true and that you stabbed him?"

He denied this.

Miss Cockburn also played footage of Thomson at Troon train station shortly after the attack.

This was at a time the killer claimed he was "traumatised".

Describing what was shown, Miss Cockburn said: "You are strolling along that platform without a care in the world.

"You appear to smile to a man sitting on a bench. He appears to smile back.

"You are not traumatised. A police officer described you as relaxed less than an hour after stabbing Callum Pollock in the neck."

Thomson again refuted the suggestion.

Lord Scott adjourned sentencing until November 28 in Edinburgh. Thomson remains in custody meantime.

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