Woman teamed up with three men to murder former partner in 'punishment beating'

A woman teamed up with three men to murder her former partner in Dundee.

Carri Stewart, 44, new partner Brian Millar, 29, along with Barry Murray, 45, and Scott Henderson, 40, killed Steven Hutton after bursting into his home on March 30, 2024.

The 43-year-old was subjected to what prosecutors described as a “punishment beating” by initially being hit with a hammer before being stabbed in the heart.

Mr Hutton was blamed for allegedly stealing from Stewart’s flat in the city, including taking medication and an apparently treasured St Christopher’s necklace.

Scott Henderson and Carri Stewart Police Scotland

The man never recovered from his injuries and passed away the next day in hospital.

All four admitted being at Mr Hutton’s home, but denied being responsible for the murder.

But, they were convicted following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Lady Haldane imposed a life sentence on the four and ordered each to serve at least 20 years behind bars.

The four already had more than 100 convictions between them.

Brian Miller and Barry Murray Police Scotland

Jurors heard how Stewart had previously been in a relationship with Mr Hutton.

A plan to attack Mr Hutton was hatched after Stewart and Millar had returned to her flat to find the door ajar.

A number of items were said to be missing, including a packet of tablets.

Co-accused Henderson and Murray were initially blamed before Mr Hutton was deemed to be the culprit.

The four then teamed up to force their way into the man’s flat late at night.

The victim had been lying on the couch and was initially struck with a hammer.

There were threats of “kneecapping” Mr Hutton, who was then stabbed.

The gang fled the scene, leaving the victim dying.

Serial criminal Stewart denied organising the ambush as she told jurors: “I was not in charge of anything.”

In his testimony, Henderson pinned the blame on Stewart.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing KC put to him that Mr Hutton had been “cornered” by the killers in his own home.

Denying he killed Mr Hutton, he later told the trial: “I did not realise how serious it was until he opened his jacket and the blood came out.

“As soon as he did that, I knew that I had to get out of it. I just wanted out that house.”

Millar stated in his evidence that Stewart had been “a bit angry” when she found items were missing from her flat.

Asked why he thought they were, then going to Mr Hutton’s home, Millar told the court: “Obviously to have a conversation with him.”

He added: “I did not think there was going to be any violence.”

He denied being armed with a knife that night and said all he did was kick the front door.

The court heard Stewart had been “going mental” shouting at Mr Hutton.

He alleged Mr Hutton “tried to go” for Stewart at one stage before he realised the man was badly hurt.

Asked his lawyer, Jim Keegan KC, who stabbed Mr Hutton, Millar claimed: “It could only have been Carri. It was only Carri in the kitchen with him.”

Millar later denied a claim that it was “an easy fit” to blame Stewart for what happened.

Advocate depute Mr Ewing suggested to Millar that Mr Hutton, initially being attacked with the hammer, was “a punishment beating” as part of the killing.

Sentencing, Lady Haldane told the four that the victim had been subjected to a “frenzied assault” in his own home.

The judge: “While motive is not, in a general sense, relative, the tragedy of these events is amplified by the fact the genesis of this attack appears to have been a missing packet of medication.

“He lost his life in these horrific circumstances.

“It was compounded that not one of you sought to seek assistance as he lay dying until you were all well clear of the property. That is behaviour which can only be described as a callous.”

Lady Haldane paid tribute to Mr Hutton’s grieving family, adding his mother had penned a “moving” victim impact statement about her loss.