Homeless man stabbed ex-model to death in frenzied attack

A convicted killer murdered a former male model just a day after he was freed from jail.

Stuart Quinn, 35, knifed Alan Geddes 40 times at the victim’s home in Aberdeen on December 7, 2019.

Mr Geddes, 56, had earlier offered to help homeless Quinn after a chance meeting at a lap dancing bar.

But he repaid his generosity by later brutally attacking the dad – before boasting to police: “I f***ing stabbed him.”

Quinn – who previously worked in offshore life support – pled guilty to a murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

He was ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years behind bars.

The hearing was told Quinn had four convictions for assault.

He was sentenced to four months the day before the killing – but the term was back-dated meaning he was freed.

Quinn was said to be “upset and crying” on being released as he had been due to receive help for personal issues.

He travelled from Peterhead to a homeless unit in Aberdeen only to find it was shut.

After going to a pub, he ended up in the Private Eyes lap dancing club in the city.

The court heard Mr Geddes was also there with a friend. He ended up chatting with Quinn before the pair left together.

Mr Geddes initially offered to pay for Quinn to stay at the Copthorne Hotel in Aberdeen for the night, but it was full.

Mr Geddes – who was previously a model based in Europe before working offshore – then allowed Quinn into his flat in the city’s Ruthrieston Crescent.

“Neighbours were awoken by the sound of incoherent shouting and banging on railings in the communal hall.”
Bernard Ablett, Prosecutor

Prosecutor Bernard Ablett said the Crown was unaware what happened there until around 5.35am.

He said: “Neighbours were awoken by the sound of incoherent shouting and banging on railings in the communal hall.”

One resident then heard Quinn yelling: “Call the police…there’s been a killing.”

Stricken Mr Geddes meantime was found lying at the bottom of stairs.

He never recovered having suffered “multiple and significant” injuries.

Police arrived to find a blood-stained Quinn clutching a lock-knife, which he threw down.

He stated: “I am not going to lie boys…I f***ing stabbed him.”

The officers found numerous pools of blood between the ground and first floor of the building.

After being taken to a police station, Quinn boasted: “I stabbed the f*** out of him. I cut the right arteries. He is dead.”

Quinn added he had “nowhere to stay” after being freed from jail and that Mr Geddes had offered him the chance to spend the night at his.

He also claimed Mr Geddes then appeared to “almost show off” a collection of knives at the flat making him feel “threatened”.

Quinn initially stated he had stabbed Mr Geddes in “self-defence”.

But the court was told the unmarried dad suffered 40 wounds including damage to his carotid artery and jugular vein.

He also had injuries suggesting he tried to “ward off” the killer.

Quinn’s lawyer said he had been working offshore before an attack overseas “forever changed him”.

He turned to crime at the age of 30 as well as drink and drugs.

“You took advantage of Mr Geddes, who let you into his own home because you had nowhere to go. This led to him meeting a very violent death at your hands.”
Lady Stacey

Krista Johnston, defending, added Quinn “perceived to be under threat” at Mr Geddes’ flat and had claimed to police there was a man upstairs “with a gun”.

She added Quinn’s reaction had been “disproportionate”.

Quinn told judge Lady Stacey he was “sorry” as she sentenced him.

She told the killer: “You took advantage of Mr Geddes, who let you into his own home because you had nowhere to go.

“This led to him meeting a very violent death at your hands.”

Detective chief inspector Carron McKellar, the senior investigating officer in this case, said: “Stuart Quinn repaid Alan’s kindness with brutal violence, and he has finally admitted his guilt in court.

“Alan’s family has been devastated by his death and my thoughts are with them, and especially with his young son, at this time.”