Larkhall man sentenced to prison for killing friend in row following a gaming session
18 August
A man was sentenced to eight years in prison for murdering his friend following a fight over playing on a PlayStation.
Dale Gardiner, 25, fatally killed 23-year-old William Wardrop at his home in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire.
After a June trial, Gardiner was convicted for murder in culpable manner under the threat of the guise of provoking.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison in the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.
Gardiner was initially accused of murder, but he was later found guilty of the lesser charge.
The men had been together at Gardiner's home, and later at Riverside Road where they spent time on the games console.
A third person there said that things were "friendly enough" before the two got into a row.
Despite the conflict calming at one point, the victim was fatally wounded.
Mr. Wardrop was able walk before collapsed. Despite the efforts of paramedics to save him for 40 minute, he was declared dead in the hospital.
Familie devastated by tragedy
Judge Lady Rae stated that Gardiner did not have the intention of starting a fight but had delivered one blow that killed the judge.
She told the judge that there were a lot of mitigation factors in the case. 886lv "You have one minor conviction in the past, which I will ignore.
"However what I can't ignore is that a young man lost his life because of your actions.
"His family has been devastated by that loss."
In a statement made at the time of his murder, Mr Wardrop's family said: "William was a much-loved dad, brother and his fiance, who will be deeply missed by all of us.
"He will always remain in our hearts."
After a row, man stabbed friend to death.
20 June
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