North Lanarkshire, Scotland – A 53-year-old man has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison for the murder of his partner in North Lanarkshire. John-Paul McLaughlan confessed to killing 51-year-old Stacey Warnock at their residence on Barra Drive in Airdie the week before Christmas in 2022.
During the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, it was revealed that McLaughlan, a construction worker, was visibly distraught as the prosecutor detailed the “brutal” knife attack that led to at least 58 injuries on Ms. Warnock’s head, neck, and body. Her body remained undiscovered in the bathtub for days until McLaughlan’s colleagues visited the home.
The court heard that the couple, who had a history of dating on and off since 1998 before moving in together in 2014, was last seen together on the night of 16 December 2022. Neighbors reported hearing noises the following morning, including a disturbing thump, but assumed the couple had gone out for the weekend.
Concerned neighbors who visited McLaughlan’s home described him as appearing disheveled and gaunt during that time. McLaughlan also sent erratic messages to a workmate, claiming that Stacey was gone and that he had attempted to take his own life.
When confronted by his workmates on 20 December, McLaughlan confessed to killing Stacey, stating that she had been dead since Saturday and requesting that the police not be contacted until he had arranged his defense. Despite McLaughlan’s claim of self-defense, he admitted to using the same knife on himself and acknowledged his responsibility for Stacey’s death.
In defense, McLaughlan asserted a lack of recollection of the fatal incident, citing only a fragmented memory of an argument where Miss Warnock allegedly threw an object at him. However, Lord Doherty emphasized the viciousness and premeditation of the attack, leading to McLaughlan being sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years.
Detective Inspector Campbell Jackson described the attack as “horrendous and brutal” and expressed hope that the conviction would bring some closure to Stacey’s family and friends. The case serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of domestic violence and the lasting impact it can have on victims and their loved ones.