Killer stabbed childhood friend in the heart after trivial argument

A killer who murdered his childhood friend by stabbing him in the heart has been handed a life sentence.

Brandon Booth, 25, struck Dylan Geddes, then 24, at a flat in Aberdeen on July 10, 2025.

Booth lashed out amid a trivial argument which resulted in him bringing out the blade and striking his victim’s chest.

The attacker then got another man to hide the knife before he fled the scene on a bike – passing his collapsed victim.

Booth pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to murdering Mr Geddes.

Brandon Booth was jailed for a minimum of 18 years Police Scotland

The court heard that Mr Geddes attended the property of a woman who was a mutual friend of both men.

The seven people in the property listened to music together and spirits had initially been good.

However, Booth and Mr Geddes – who had been friends as children – began to argue with each other.

Booth was heard to say: “What? You think I won’t do anything?

Mr Geddes replied: “Why are you speaking to me like that?”

Prosecutor Gordon Lindhorst said: “Booth stood up and pulled out a black handled knife with a blade from his waistband.

Booth said: “You think I won’t stab you?”

Booth gestured the knife towards Mr Geddes’ chest on multiple occasions while the victim turned away to protect himself.

Booth ordered Mr Geddes to “Get the f*** out” and the victim walked into the hallway.

Mr Geddes’ friend asked what was going on and he replied: “I have just been stabbed.”

The witness noted that Mr Geddes was holding his chest, which was bleeding.

Another attendee at the flat stated that he saw Booth “lunge aggressively” with the blade but did not see the strike.

Booth then ordered a further witness to get rid of the knife.

In the meantime, Mr Geddes walked a couple of steps out of the property before he collapsed on the ground.

A 999 call was made and one witness attempted to give first aid to the chest wound before medics arrived.

Mr Lindhorst added: “Booth cycled off past Mr Geddes on his push bike as [the witness] made the call to emergency services.”

Mr Geddes was given CPR and a defibrillator before he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1.25am.

A post-mortem stated that the cause of death was “stab wound to chest which pierced through the heart.”

Efforts to trace Booth were initially unsuccessful, however, the knife was recovered from a hole in the flat’s communal garden.

Booth was found in his stepfather’s home on July 11, 2025 after entry was forced to the property.

Other than provide his personal details, Booth gave a no comment interview to the police.

Mark Stewart, defending, told the court: “The nature of the argument that developed isn’t clear.

“It was probably an argument of not any good note however it escalated and one thing led to another with two young men who knew each other who ended up in a confrontation.

“Mr Boothe escalated that and he used this weapon.

“He understands the consequences for Mr Geddes’ family and apologises.”

It was revealed unemployed Booth has previous convictions for assaults which includes to injury.

Judge Lord Arthurson ordered Booth, of Aberdeen, to spend at least 18 years behind bars before he is considered for parole.

The judge said: “Mr Geddes leaves behind a loving family and close friends.

“He is survived by his parents, sister and grandmother.

“He was a young man who had a future life ahead of him and through your brutal violence that night, you took that away from him and his grieving family.

“This was an unprovoked attack on a man in the property and you fled the scene, passing your dying victim as he lay on the ground while his friend was phoning the emergency services after you told another man to get rid of the knife.”

A family statement given after Mr Geddes’ death said: “Dylan was a much-loved son, grandson, brother and nephew. He will be sorely missed every day by all who knew him.

“The family is absolutely devastated by what has happened and would like privacy at this difficult time.”