Two men jailed for 18 years each for Kilwinning doorstep murder
Marshall Strachan, 21, and Kieran Lindsay, 21, fatally attacked John Taylor, 44, on October 18 2024.
Two men who murdered a man on his doorstep in Kilwinning nearly two years ago will both spend a minimum of 18 years behind bars.
Marshall Strachan, 21, and Kieran Lindsay, 21, fatally attacked John Taylor, 44, on October 18 2024.
The incident took place amid an apparent issue between the Lindsay and Mr Taylor.
Strachan and Lindsay were found guilty of murder after trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month.
Judge Lord Arthurson sentenced the first offenders to a minimum of 18 years behind bars.
The judge said: "He was a beloved father, son and brother and his death has left an unfillable void for those who loved him.
"There was a concerted nature to the crime and on the evidence, it was instigated by Lindsay and executed by Strachan. I have made no distinction between you.
"This was a pre-planned, targeted, violent retribution.
"You dismembered a man who was outside his home address in a single blow attack while one of you were masked.
"You left him to bleed to death while neighboured tended to him.
"You left by car and destroyed items linking you to the crime.
"In all the circumstances I impose upon you, a mandatory sentence."
The court heard that Kiey O'Connor, 29, drove Strachan and Lindsay to Mr Taylor's home. O'Connor was unaware of what was to take place.
Jurors were told that Lindsay and Strachan left the vehicle. Strachan was seen wearing a snood.
The men were out of CCTV camera shot for a period of one minute and 56 seconds at around 1.12pm.
Prosecutor Erin Campbell said: "During this time, they attended the door of John Taylor.
"While there, Marshall Strachan stabbed John Taylor to the abdomen."
Mr Taylor's friend and neighbour Fiona Houston saw the two men at his door to which he answered and went down the first step.
She believed that one of the men had "punched" Mr Taylor after an apparent conversation.
Mr Taylor was later found at his doorstep with the "significant stab wound."
Terrified neighbours dialled 999 and reported to the call handler that Mr Taylor's intestines were "hanging out."
Miss Campbell told jurors in her closing speech: "Strachan ran away down the lane while Lindsay walked, simply walked with his hands in his pockets, and went back to the car and got in.
"The car then drove way to where Strachan had stopped running and he got in the car."
O'Connor was told by Lindsay to drop them off at an area in Kilwinning called "The Waterpath."
Miss Campbell told the jurors in her closing speech: "By 1.29pm, 17 minutes later, Strachan and Lindsay were casually walking to a grass area where they burned potential evidence.
"Is that the actions of panicked people dealing with an unexpected situation or was it a plan?"
Miss Campbell stated that O'Connor meantime was "unaware" of what had happened at the property.
The advocate depute said: "He became aware through his brother that someone had been stabbed."
O'Connor replied to his brother: "This motor is probably getting watched, I think I've f***ed it."
O'Connor later sold the Volkswagen Polo car for £40 to his friend David Morrison. The vehicle was then put on Facebook Marketplace.
Call records revealed that the drive had searched the opening times for Saltcoats Police Office and had attempted to dial 101.
O'Connor was later arrested and charged with the murder.
However, the murder charge against him was later dropped and he gave evidence which "assisted the Crown" at the trial of Lindsay and Strachan.
O'Connor pleaded guilty to two charges being concerned in the supply of drugs in Ayrshire between October 13 and 18 2024.
The first offender also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was admonished by Judge Arthurson.
John Scullion KC, defending Lindsay, told today's sentencing: "He bitterly regrets the decision he took that day and the tragic consequences to the victim and his family. There is remorse for the loss of life."
Donald Findlay KC, defending Strachan, said: "Whatever happened, there was no intention on his part that day - it did not cross his mind that anything as serious death of a human being would occur.
"He went to play a part in a particular scenario.
"When you step away from it, it had all the potential to end badly but it was not why they went there."