Men jailed for teenager killing

Two men who killed an "exceptional young man" in a robbery when he refused to hand over his mobile phone and wallet have been jailed for more than 27 years in total.

Daryn Maxwell, 23, will serve at least 19 years in jail after admitting he murdered 19-year-old Reamonn Gormley in Glasgow Road, Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, on February 1 this year.

He stabbed the Glasgow University student three times, delivering a fatal blow to the neck which severed vital arteries.

His co-accused Barry Smith, 19, was detained for eight years and three months after pleading guilty to culpable homicide, on the grounds that he had planned the robbery with Maxwell and had knowingly taken out a weapon which could cause serious bodily harm. However, he did not stab Mr Gormley.

After today's sentence at the High Court in Perth, Mr Gormley's family thanked those involved in "bringing these evil people to some sort of justice".

In a statement issued through the Crown Office, they said it brought "neither satisfaction nor comfort to our family".

The family statement continued: "We have all heard on many occasions from other families in a similar situation that they have been given a life sentence and you do not fully understand what they felt.

"Ask yourself how would you feel? As far as we are concerned there will be no parole, no time off for good behaviour, and we will have to deal with this for the rest of our lives.

"This was a premeditated crime. These thugs took the conscious decision to go on to the streets armed, they took the conscious decision to commit a robbery and they took the conscious decision to use a weapon. Unfortunately, it was our son and his friend they encountered but it could have been anyone."

The family also thanked "friends, colleagues and the many good decent people of Blantyre" for their support.

They added: "We all think about Reamonn first thing in the morning and last thing at night and a hundred times inbetween.

"There has not been one day since the 1st of February that we have not experienced the profound sorrow and deep sense of loss of our son and a decent a young man, who was dearly loved by all.

"Having spoken to the teachers at the high school Reamonn attended, Glasgow University and his numerous friends, he was an exceptional young man who was held in high regard and an inspiration to others.

"We are so proud of what he achieved in his short life; however, it will not bring him back and does not ease the pain and grief that we will always feel.

"We struggle to come to terms with the knowledge that a loving and kind young man who would, without a doubt have made his mark in this world and would have continued to make a significant contribution to our society, is no longer with us, yet two individuals who have contributed nothing positive to society but only spread fear and violence will one day be free to walk our streets again."

PA