A murderer who stabbed a man in the neck and then gave him a tissue for the blood has been jailed for a minimum of 13 years.
John Blyth, 47, was said to have “lost it” during an argument with Paul Smith, 56, and repeatedly struck him on the head and neck with a kitchen knife.
Mr Smith, who had serious underlying medical problems, died four days later in hospital.
Judge Lord Harrower said: “It seems that immediately after the incident, you may have assisted Mr Smith by providing him with a tissue to hold against the neck wound and absorb some of the blood.”
The attack happened at Blyth’s flat in Edinburgh in January 2021.
Afterwards, Mr Smith drove himself to the city’s royal infirmary and was later transferred to St John’s Hospital in Livingston, where he died.
He was said to have suffered from a number of conditions, including a rare blood disease.
Lord Harrower noted: “According to the surgeon, the wound was not in itself life-threatening, and that, had it not been for Mr Smith’s other conditions, he would have been stitched up and sent home.”
Blyth was found guilty of murder last month following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
He was handed a life sentence, with at least 13 years behind bars, at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday.
Lord Harrower said the jury had rejected Blyth’s claim of self-defence.
He added: “What is clear is that some sort of altercation took place, during which you struck Mr Smith at least twice with a kitchen knife.
“On post-mortem examination, Mr Smith had incised wounds across the bridge of his nose and under his left eye, possibly caused by a single blow to the face.
“He had a further stab wound to the left side of his neck, 2.7cm in length and 3cm deep. You had no injuries.”
The judge accepted that it was not a “sustained murderous attack”.
However, a background report stated that while Blyth was “sorry” Mr Smith died, he “felt no remorse”.
Lord Harrower added: “And you appear to have suggested that Mr Smith was going to die imminently anyway, as if this should somehow be regarded as a mitigating factor.
“If anything, the fact that you knew that he was in very poor health might be regarded as an aggravation.”
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The court was earlier told that Mr Smith is survived by a sister and a young daughter.
The judge added: “Following your conviction, I mentioned that members of Mr Smith’s family had provided the court with a very moving statement, in which they expressed the hope that you would be able to get the help you need and take this opportunity to become a better person.
“While no sentence of this court can make good the family’s loss, it can take account of their compassion.”
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Following the hearing, Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said Blyth was now facing the consequences of the “brutal, senseless attack” and praised the victim’s family for their “strength and dignity throughout this ordeal”.
He added: “While this sentencing cannot change what John Blyth did to Paul, I hope that it brings some kind of closure for Paul’s family and friends.”
