Father in marriage split admits murdering two of his children

By Hilary Duncanson , Scottish Press Association

Saturday 13 September 2008

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A father struggling to cope with the break-up of his marriage murdered two of his children in the former family home, a court heard today.

Robert Thomson, 50, knifed his children, Michelle, 25, and Ryan, seven, a total of 26 times on May 3 this year.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how their mother, June Thomson, discovered her children's blood-soaked bodies at the house in Buckhaven, Leven, in Fife.

Mrs Thomson was in court today to hear Thomson, who had seemingly tried to take his own life at the same time, admit two charges of murder.

The court heard that, since March this year, he had reacted badly to the break-up of his marriage and the divorce proceedings.

Thomson faces life in prison for the crimes.

Judge Lord Menzies told him today: "What you have done and what you have pled guilty to is indescribably awful."

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