Latest news with #StaceyBalfour
BBC News
15 hours ago
- BBC News
Couple jailed over 'frenzied' knife murder in Paisley tower block
A former couple have been jailed for the "frenzied" knife murder of a man after an argument broke out in a tower Fisher, 26, was found critically injured in a flat in Maxwellton Street, Paisley, on 23 July 2023 and died in hospital four days later. Cameron Woods, 27, and Stacey Balfour, 24, who were together at the time, were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow last month. Prosecutors said Woods fatally stabbed Mr Fisher while his then partner Balfour was "acting in concert" as she knew there would be violence. Woods was jailed for a minimum 18-and-a-half years and Balfour for 16 trial had earlier been told all three had been in a flat with other people in the Renfrewshire town. During this time a witness said Woods had been spotted with a large kitchen Balfour had shown someone a small lockback blade - attached to a set of keys - which was later used in the fatal court heard it was launched after the atmosphere between the group in the flat became "volatile".Prosecutor Erin Campbell said it was clear "the situation escalated" and eventually led to Mr Fisher being stabbed "in what amounted to a murderous attack".The victim managed to stagger out of the flat with blood on his face and on his t-shirt.A man dialled 999 as Mr Fisher groaned in the background: "I have been stabbed."He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he later died. During the trial, the court heard Mr Fisher had five separate stab wounds and possible defensive Campbell told the jury: "If you are trying to strike someone in the head or chest then there are only two possibilities."Either you are deliberately trying to kill the person."Or you are so angry and wild in the moment, you have total disregard if the person lives or dies."The advocate depute told the court Mr Fisher had been subjected to a "frenzied attack".Woods was later stopped by police at a cycle track and found to be in possession of the murder weapon, with Mr Fisher's blood on initially told police she had last seen the victim when he left the flat with another Findlay KC, defending Woods, said "no one set out looking for trouble". "Something clearly happened which led to a conflict. "There was a reaction to something."Balfour's KC Thomas Ross said she had previously suffered a "traumatic" incident in 2014 and a had been in a "toxic relationship" before the killing.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- The Independent
Pair jailed for life for young father's murder at flat
A man and woman who killed a young father in a 'murderous attack' in a flat have been jailed for life. Cameron Woods stabbed Robert Fisher, 26, through the heart during the attack in Paisley, Renfrewshire, on July 23, 2023, using a knife brought by Stacey Balfour. Mr Fisher, 26, was so severely injured that he died four days later at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The pair were found guilty of acting 'in concert' to murder Mr Fisher at the flat in Maxwellton Court following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow in May this year. Lady Hood jailed the pair for life when they returned to the court for sentencing on Tuesday. She ordered Woods, 27, who was on bail at the time of the murder, to spend a minimum of 18 years and six months before he is eligible for parole, while Balfour, 24, must serve a minimum of 16 years. Lady Hood said: 'Robert Fisher died from a stab wound to the heart, one of a number of injuries. The knife was brought by you Stacey Balfour and was wielded by you, Cameron Woods. 'It was the verdict of the jury that you were acting in concert and were both responsible for this murderous attack.' She said that there was 'no doubt that the knife was wielded and the fatal blow struck by Cameron Woods'. Lady Hood said that in their victim impact statement Mr Fisher's family described him as 'caring' and talked of goals he was working towards but will never achieve. She said they also 'explained the impact of Mr Fisher's death on his young daughter' and added that no sentence she imposes will be enough to make up for the family's loss. Lady Hood said that she took Balfour's age into account when deciding her sentence as she was under 25 at the time of the offence, and sentencing guidelines for that age group are different from those for older people. Thomas Ross KC, representing Balfour, said that she had previously been in a 'toxic relationship' and was to some extent 'in a very dark place' at the time of the offence. He urged the judge to consider Balfour's lack of previous convictions, personal circumstances and the sentencing guidelines when deciding on her sentence. Donald Findlay KC, representing Woods, said there was 'no pre-planning' in the murder. He said: 'Nobody set out looking for trouble, it ought to have been a pleasant social occasion but something clearly happened that led to a conflict and as a consequence of whatever that was, what occurred followed.'
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pair jailed for life for young father's murder at flat
A man and woman who killed a young father in a 'murderous attack' in a flat have been jailed for life. Cameron Woods stabbed Robert Fisher, 26, through the heart during the attack in Paisley, Renfrewshire, on July 23, 2023, using a knife brought by Stacey Balfour. Mr Fisher, 26, was so severely injured that he died four days later at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The pair were found guilty of acting 'in concert' to murder Mr Fisher at the flat in Maxwellton Court following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow in May this year. Lady Hood jailed the pair for life when they returned to the court for sentencing on Tuesday. She ordered Woods, 27, who was on bail at the time of the murder, to spend a minimum of 18 years and six months before he is eligible for parole, while Balfour, 24, must serve a minimum of 16 years. Lady Hood said: 'Robert Fisher died from a stab wound to the heart, one of a number of injuries. The knife was brought by you Stacey Balfour and was wielded by you, Cameron Woods. 'It was the verdict of the jury that you were acting in concert and were both responsible for this murderous attack.' She said that there was 'no doubt that the knife was wielded and the fatal blow struck by Cameron Woods'. Lady Hood said that in their victim impact statement Mr Fisher's family described him as 'caring' and talked of goals he was working towards but will never achieve. She said they also 'explained the impact of Mr Fisher's death on his young daughter' and added that no sentence she imposes will be enough to make up for the family's loss. Lady Hood said that she took Balfour's age into account when deciding her sentence as she was under 25 at the time of the offence, and sentencing guidelines for that age group are different from those for older people. Thomas Ross KC, representing Balfour, said that she had previously been in a 'toxic relationship' and was to some extent 'in a very dark place' at the time of the offence. He urged the judge to consider Balfour's lack of previous convictions, personal circumstances and the sentencing guidelines when deciding on her sentence. Donald Findlay KC, representing Woods, said there was 'no pre-planning' in the murder. He said: 'Nobody set out looking for trouble, it ought to have been a pleasant social occasion but something clearly happened that led to a conflict and as a consequence of whatever that was, what occurred followed.'
