Convicted murderer who fractured man's skull with machete dies behind bars in Dunbartonshire

A convicted killer, who fractured a man’s skull with a machete, has died in an East Dunbartonshire prison.

David McDermott was jailed in 1998 after he was convicted of murdering Andrew Miller at a bar in Bonhill.

McDermott and co-accused James “Jazzer” Cunningham fractured Mr Miller’s skull with the blunt end of a machete.

The victim was also shot at and fatally stabbed as he tried to get away. Mr Miller was left for dead by the pair on a floor of glass.

McDermott was subjected to special licencing conditions having been released from prison in 2010. The killer was later requested to return to prison, however, he failed to do so.

He was arrested by police at Holyhead port after being found onboard a ferry. McDermott pled guilty to being unlawfully at large and was sentenced to 14 months behind bars.

The Scottish Prison Service has confirmed that McDermott died at HMP Low Moss aged 57 on New Year’s Day.

The cause of death is unknown, however, as with all deaths in custody a Fatal Accident Inquiry will take place