Thug who slit 'good citizen's' throat dies in HMP Shotts
Kirk McIntyre died in HMP Shotts in North Lanarkshire on Friday, April 25, 2025, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said.
In August 2018, we reported how a 'good citizen' who found a handbag was brutally killed amid claims he had instead nicked it.
READ MORE: Double killer's death in HMP Low Moss to be investigated
Frederick McGettigan had done his 'civic duty' by giving the item to police when he discovered it beside a canal in July 2017.
However, Kirk later turned up at the 51-year-old's flat in Auchinairn in Bishopbriggs.
(Image: Newsquest) In court, it was revealed that he wrongly believed that the innocent Mr McGettigan took the bag from the house of someone he knew.
However, Kirk went after his frail victim before slitting his throat with a knife. After the incident, during the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, Kirk denied murder.
READ MORE: Probe to begin after man died in notorious Scottish jail
Ultimately, the brute was jailed for life and ordered to spend a minimum of 20 years locked behind bars after being convicted.
During the hearing, a judge told Kirk, from Perth, that the killing was 'barbaric and cruel'.
The trial heard how Mr McGettigan, known as Ricky, had found the bag at the Forth and Clyde canal in Kirkintilloch.
The discovery came during an early-hours walk. He often went out at that time as he suffered from the ear condition, tinnitus.
Mr McGettigan then handed the bag into the local police station.
Days later, on August 6, 2017, raging Kirk suddenly appeared at his door. The victim was then brutally attacked with a blade and left for dead.
Following Kirk's death, the SPS has said Police Scotland has been advised of the matter.
Meanwhile, his death has also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal, and a Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held in due course.
READ MORE: Prisoner dies in custody at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.
'Following the death of someone in our care, Police Scotland are advised, and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Fatal Accident Inquiries are held in due course.'
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