UPDATE: Four individuals have been convicted of murdering Steven Hutton in a brutal attack at his home in Dundee on March 30, 2024. The offenders, including Carri Stewart, 44, and her partner Brian Millar, 29, along with Barry Murray, 45, and Scott Henderson, 40, executed a violent “punishment beating” that left Hutton dead the following day in a hospital.
The harrowing incident unfolded late at night when the group stormed into Hutton’s home, accusing him of stealing personal items from Stewart’s flat, including medication and a cherished St Christopher’s necklace. Prosecutors described the assault as “frenzied,” beginning with Hutton being struck with a hammer before he was fatally stabbed in the heart.
The court heard that the attack was premeditated. Following the discovery of missing items from Stewart’s residence, the group devised a plan to confront Hutton. They forced their way into his home, where Hutton was found lying on the couch, and began their assault.
Prosecutor Liam Ewing KC emphasized the calculated nature of the crime, highlighting that Hutton had been “cornered” in his own home. During the trial, Henderson claimed he was unaware of the severity of the situation until he saw Hutton bleeding after the stabbing. “I just wanted out of that house,” he testified.
Despite their convictions, all four defendants denied responsibility for the murder, with Stewart claiming she was not in charge of the attack. In a shocking twist, Millar suggested that Stewart was the one who stabbed Hutton, saying, “It could only have been Carri. It was only Carri in the kitchen with him.”
Lady Haldane of the High Court in Glasgow sentenced the group to life in prison, mandating a minimum of 20 years behind bars for each of them. The judge condemned their actions as “callous,” noting that none of the offenders attempted to assist Hutton as he lay dying.
In her sentencing remarks, Lady Haldane expressed her condolences to Hutton’s family, who provided a poignant victim impact statement detailing their loss. She stated, “The tragedy of these events is amplified by the fact the genesis of this attack appears to have been a missing packet of medication.”
The case has drawn significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the lengthy criminal histories of the accused, who collectively have over 100 prior convictions. As the community grapples with this shocking crime, many are left questioning how such violence could erupt over a few missing items.
Authorities continue to investigate the broader implications of this case, urging the public to come forward with any additional information related to similar incidents. The emotional scars left on Hutton’s family serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of violence in society.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
