Robert Gardner was brutally murdered in this Port Glasgow street after refusing to give two strangers a drink from his carry-out
TWO thugs who murdered a complete stranger were given life imprisonment today.
They'll serve at least 35 years between them before they can apply for parole.
Matthew McFadden, 22, will spend a minimum of 20 years behind bars for smashing 36-year-old Robert Gardner's skull with a paving stone.
Andrew Spark, 23, of Royal Terrace, Gourock, who stabbed Mr Gardner as he lay dying in the street, was jailed for a minimum of 15 years.
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The High Court in Glasgow heard Mr Gardner was killed because he didn't show enough respect to the two thugs in Southfield Avenue, Port Glasgow, in the early hours of April 30, last year.
The victim, who was on his way to see his girlfriend, refused to give the pair a drink from his carry-out.
As McFadden launched his attack, he screamed: "Die you b******."
Jailing them, Lord Hardie told McFadden by uttering that phrase he indicated it was his intention to kill Gardner.
He added: "It was a murderous attack and clearly wicked and reckless to bring a heavy piece of concrete down on a person's head."
He told Spark that although he didn't kill Mr Gardner by stabbing him, after hearing McFadden's remark he was just as guilty.
After the sentencing, Mr Gardner's sister Catherine said: "McFadden and Spark are mindless, evil thugs.
"They murdered my brother just for badness. He had £50 in cash on him, a mobile phone and a gold chain, but they never touched those.
"They were just interested in violence and killed a total stranger for kicks.
"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He didn't have a chance.
"These animals have devastated our whole family by murdering Robert. At least they will be off the streets for a long, long time."
A pathologist told the trial Mr Gardner was probably hit four or five times with the slab and stabbed once. The fatal injury was caused by the concrete fracturing his skull and causing brain damage.
Both men were found guilty of punching and kicking Mr Gardner on the head and body, stamping on his head and body, striking him on the head and body with a block of concrete and striking him on the body with a knife.
Publication date 20/08/07
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