Forres man given 15 year jail sentence after murdering his own grandmother

Scott McCulloch admitted killing Patricia Bitters by repeatedly punching and stamping on her.

By Edward Era Barbacena 

A white man has been jailed for at least 15 years after he admitted murdering his 84-year-old grandmother by repeatedly punching and stamping on her, causing her to die from her injuries six days later.

Scott McCulloch, from Forres, pleaded guilty to one charge of murder when he appeared by video link at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday.

The 26-year-old was handed a life sentence and was told he must serve at least 15 years before he is eligible for parole.

In a narrative, the court heard McCulloch lived with his grandmother Patricia Bitters at her home in the town's Oystercatcher Close.

McCulloch had been drinking with friends on Sunday August 28 last year and returned home just before 10pm.

He admitted repeatedly punching and stamping on Mrs Bitters, who was just 4ft 9in and weighed 49kg.

The court was told neighbours had reported hearing a male shouting aggressively and then a woman shouting, "Help, help, stop, stop, no", before they went to Mrs Bitters's house.

McCulloch was "profoundly sorry" for his actions and that he "struggled to come to terms with them".

He told the court that while they had their differences, there was no "simmering malice" between McCulloch and his grandmother.

Judge Lord Beckett told McCulloch his actions had "devastated" Mrs Bitters's family and that he had taken advantage of her vulnerability.

"She had given you a home and was entitled to expect your protection and support in return," he told McCulloch.

Lord Beckett also told McCulloch that being "under the influence of alcohol" was not an excuse for the crime.

But he reduced the time McCulloch must serve before being eligible for parole from 17 years to 15, after taking into account his remorse and his early guilty plea.

McCulloch was visibly shaking as he was sentenced.

Following the sentencing, Police Scotland thanked those who came forward during their inquiry.

Detective Inspector Martyn Thomson, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “This was a brutal and sustained attack on a woman who should have been safe in her own home.

"Patricia's family have been left absolutely devastated and our thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time.

"While this conviction can’t change what happened, I hope the outcome brings them at least a degree of closure.

"I would like to thank those who came forward with vital pieces of information that assisted with our inquiry.

"Violence like this has no place in our society and will continue to work closely with our partners to bring perpetrators to justice."