logo
Scottish dad who killed his own children in 'revenge plot' against wife denied parole

Scottish dad who killed his own children in 'revenge plot' against wife denied parole

Yahoo4 hours ago
Killer Rab Thomson, who killed his own to children in their family home after his marriage broke down, has been denied parole.
The sick dad stabbed his disabled daughter Michelle, who was 25-years-old at the time, and his seven-year-old son Ryan, to death. The 67-year-old was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the crimes, which he committed in 2008.
His former wife, June, plead with the parole board to deny him his freedom. Her calls were echoed by others in the community, with MP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife Richard Baker now confirming he has not been given parole after writing to the authorities.
READ MORE: Ryanair flight 'utter chaos' as passengers 'jump off wing' with 18 people injured
READ MORE: Edinburgh man was 'spending £400 a month on takeaways' before going on Mounjaro
He said: "Rab Thomson, who killed his son, seven, and disabled daughter in Buckhaven in 2008, has been denied parole.
"My wife, Claire Baker MSP and I, who wrote to the board seeking this outcome, welcome the decision. I'm sure many people in Levenmouth will feel the same."
Thomson is believed to have murdered his children out of cruel revenge on his estranged wife June who left him after 27-years of beatings and rape. In his first official access visit, after June finally plucked up the courage to leave him, he stabbed Ryan 14 times as the little boy played a computer game at the family home in Buckhaven, Fife, on May 3, 2008.
He then turned the knife on Michelle, stabbing her 12 times as she fought for her life, leaving her bedroom like a bloodbath. After murdering his children, Thomson placed each child in bed and posed their bodies like little angels for his wife to find.
Detective Inspector Graham Fenton, one of the detectives in charge of the investigation, said the killer traumatised his family for years. He previously said: "June had been the victim of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
"None of this was reported to the police, however many victims of domestic violence often suffer in silence."
He added: "When Thomson came into our custody, he was very matter of fact.
"He showed no remorse. In fact, he never asked for his children once. At one stage during the interview, he even refused to sit on the chair in the room. He actually lay on the floor. It appeared to me that this was Thomson trying to exert control over a situation that wasn't his."
Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Last year, a documentary called Britain's Darkest Taboos, that covered the murders showed how Thomson exerted control over his terrified family. Dr Keri Nixon, a leading criminologist told if how Thomson cracked because his image as the perfect family man was destroyed by his split from his wife June.
In film, taken at Christmas 2002 when youngest victim Ryan was not yet two, Thomson's wife June, 54, is heard begging her husband to stop filming but he persists. Dr Nixon said: "He wanted to present a perfect life to the outside world.
"He liked to be respected, he liked to be admired. His wife leaving him was not part of that image. Because he was losing everything, his way of dealing with it was to destroy it."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Woman faces murder, arson charges in Logan Square stabbing, fire
Woman faces murder, arson charges in Logan Square stabbing, fire

Yahoo

time35 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Woman faces murder, arson charges in Logan Square stabbing, fire

A Logan Square woman now faces more than a dozen felony charges — including murder — in connection with a Fourth of July stabbing and fire that left one of her children dead and two others injured, authorities announced Sunday. Wendy Tolbert, 45, was charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated arson and several other felonies after she allegedly stabbed her three children — killing her 4-year-old son — and set their residence on fire Friday in the 3600 block of West Palmer Street, according to Chicago Police and Cook County prosecutors. Tolbert is scheduled to make her first court appearance Sunday. Her CPD arrest report states she is the mother of the three children who were stabbed. The 4-year-old — who the Cook County Medical Examiner's office identified as Jordan Wallace — was pronounced dead after being taken to Stroger Hospital. He had been stabbed in the chest, according to police. A 13-year-old girl was transported to the same hospital in critical condition after being stabbed in the face, chest and back, police said. A 10-year-old boy, stabbed in the arm, was also taken to Stroger, police said. Two people from a neighboring residence — a man and woman in their 30s — as well as three responding police officers were also taken to hospitals due to smoke inhalation in fair condition, according to police.

Detectives probe suspicious death of man in flat
Detectives probe suspicious death of man in flat

Yahoo

time39 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Detectives probe suspicious death of man in flat

Detectives are treating the death of a man in a flat as suspicious. Police Scotland said officers were called to Glenmuir Place, Ayr, at about 20:10 on Saturday. The 42-year-old, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene. Det Insp Steven Slater, of the force's Major Investigation Team, urged anyone with information to come forward. He said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died at this very difficult time. They are being supported by specialist officers. "Officers are carrying out several lines of inquiry and there will be a continued visible police presence in the area. "Anyone with concerns can speak to these officers." He asked anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information to contact Police Scotland via a dedicated online form.

Man charged over death of scientist found injured on street
Man charged over death of scientist found injured on street

Yahoo

time40 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Man charged over death of scientist found injured on street

A man has been charged in connection with the death of a scientist after she was found seriously injured on a Dundee street. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, who was originally from Zimbabwe, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, which happened on South Road at about 16:25 on Saturday. The 20-year-old suspect is expected to appear before Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday. Dr Gomo, who worked for Scottish Water, lived in the city and was a graduate of the University of Dundee. Prof Nigel Seaton, interim principal and vice-chancellor, said the university was "shocked" by the death of the former research assistant. Det Supt Peter Sharp, the officer in charge of the inquiry, said: "Firstly, my thoughts remain with Fortune's family at this incredibly sad time. "They are being supported by specialist officers and I would ask that their privacy is respected." He added inquiries were continuing and said the incident "poses no wider risk to the public". The senior officer said his team were following a number of lines of inquiry. Det Supt Sharp added: "I am also acutely aware of content circulating on social media and would urge the public not to speculate about the circumstances of the incident. "The public will notice a visibly increased police presence in the area and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns to speak with our officers." Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the force. Prof Seaton said Dr Gomo was a PhD student and then postdoctoral research assistant in geography at the University of Dundee until February 2022. Dr Gomo had recently joined Scottish Water as a senior service planner in water resource planning and was "thriving in her career". Prof Seaton said: "Her death, following an alleged attack in South Road, Dundee, on Saturday afternoon, is a truly shocking event in our city and for our University community. "It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time here at the University, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students. "Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this tragic time." He said students affected by Dr Gomo's death could find "support and solace" in the university's Chaplaincy Centre, which will open on Monday. Man arrested after death of woman found injured on street

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store