A knife thug who stabbed his best friend to death has been jailed for eight years. Dale Gardiner attacked William Wardrop following a row shortly after they had been playing a PlayStation together at the 25 year-old's home in Larkhall, Lanarkshire.
The 23 year-old victim never survived despite mercy crews spending 40 minutes trying to save him on May 22, 2020. Gardiner was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow. He had earlier been convicted of a charge of culpable homicide under provocation.
Gardiner had initially faced a murder allegation. Lady Rae said he had not started a fight, but had delivered a single blow causing the death. The judge added: "There are a number of mitigatory factors in this unusual case.
"You have a minor previous conviction, which I will ignore. However, what I cannot ignore is that a young man lost his life through your actions. His family have been devastated by that loss."
Gardiner had claimed he was acting in self-defence during the incident in the early hours of that morning. The men had been together at Gardiner's then home which included them being on the games console.
Another man there said things were "friendly enough" before Gardiner and William got into a row. Despite the argument calming at one stage, it was there the victim was fatally stabbed.
William initially managed to stagger away before collapsing. After the attack, Gardiner was described as "hysterical" and crying about his "best friend".
He said at one stage: "He ran at me and I stabbed him" adding "Is he alright, my pal Willie?".
Prosecutor Stewart Ronnie told jurors Gardiner had "targeted William's chest with a lethal weapon". In his closing speech, the advocate depute added: "I suggest his actions could not be considered proportionate."
Donald Findlay, defending, said Gardiner "rather lost the place that night", but what happened was not premeditated.
The defence QC told the hearing: "I can say that his contrition is absolutely genuine. He was distraught that he had taken a life."
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