Dawn McKenzie
A boy who stabbed his foster carer to death after he was grounded has been jailed for seven years.
The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked 34-year-old Dawn McKenzie at a flat in Hamilton, on 24 June 2011.
She bled to death after being stabbed 10 times on the head and body.
The boy was charged with murder but the Crown accepted his plea to a lesser charge of culpable homicide on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Pentland paid tribute to the victim.
'Appalling consequences'
He said: "No order I impose can possibly put right the appalling consequences of her tragic death."
During a previous hearing, the High Court in Glasgow heard that, in the days leading up to the killing, the boy's X-box, mobile phone and laptop had been taken off him. A number of psychiatrists who examined the boy said he was not able to control his behaviour at the time.
Ms McKenzie was stabbed 10 times on the head and body. The fatal blow severed a major blood vessel and caused her to bleed to death.
She was also stabbed twice in the scalp and the force of one of these blows was so great that the tip of the blade broke off and imbedded itself in her skull.
The defensive injuries she received showed she had fought for her life.
After the boy fled, Ms McKenzie managed to dial 999 and told police who had stabbed her.
Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, said: "The deceased and her husband, Bryan, treated the accused as their own. They were all due to go on holiday abroad together.
"It would appear there was nothing remarkable about his behaviour in the lead up to this offence."
The court heard it had been a normal Friday night, with Mr McKenzie and the boy driving Dawn to the supermarket and then going for a drive before picking her up again.
Mr Prentice added: "The accused had a circle of friends and a keen interest in football and is described by his friends as quiet and likable."
Culled from BBC
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