Killer who stabbed much-loved dad to death while on bail handed life sentence

A killer who stabbed a much-loved father to death while on bail for a knife crime has been jailed for life.

Brandon McLachlan, 22, stabbed Jamie Lucas to death near to a nightclub in Airdrie, Lanarkshire days before Christmas 2024.

The fatal attack occurred after a brief argument between the men, who were not known to each other before that night.

A judge said McLachlan then appeared to “plot his revenge” after getting hurt during the altercation.

McLachlan went home to grab a blade and pounced on Mr Lucas, 33, as he later left the club with his girlfriend.

The joiner collapsed in the street, having been struck in the heart.

McLachlan later boasted to police: “I went home, got the knife and stabbed him to f***.”

On Monday, he was jailed for a minimum 18 and a half years at the High Court in Glasgow having pled guilty to murder.

Jamie had been out with his girlfriend at Diamonds nightclub in Airdrie last December 21.

McLachlan also happened to be there, but was kicked out by staff due to his behaviour.

He was then standing outside when Jamie and his partner briefly left to have a cigarette.

The court heard there ended up being a “verbal exchange” between the men, which became physical for a short time.

It led to McLachlan’s tooth being chipped.

The pair were split up and Mr Lucas and his partner went back inside.

But, McLachlan stayed nearby irate at what had happened. Door staff tried to calm him.

He was captured on CCTV and audio footage making various threatening comments.

These included: “I will go and get a knife and stab him in the neck. I will get the jail for it. I do not care. F*** it, I will go and get a knife then.”

He stormed back to his flat near to Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Jamie and his partner left the club around 2.30am. As they crossed the road, McLachlan was back at the scene and yelled on Jamie.

There was a struggle and the nightclub security immediately went over.

But, prosecutor Lucy Adams explained: “Before they could reach the other side, they became aware McLachlan had a knife in his hand and heard Jamie Lucas stating he had been struck.

“It was with that knife McLachlan stabbed him repeatedly to the left hand side of his body.”

The bouncers got hold of McLachlan, prised the blade from him, but he then managed to escape.

CCTV footage played in court showed wounded Jamie grabbing his side as his shocked partner gave him her jacket to try and stem the blood.

He soon slumped to the ground. Other witnesses raced to help as a 999 call was made.

Jamie was rushed to hospital, but did not survive. He had been stabbed four times.

A blood-stained McLachlan had initially fled to another nightclub before also being told to leave there.

He was eventually arrested near his home having tried to run off from police.

The court heard McLachlan already had ten previous convictions for violence and housebreaking.

He was subject to two bail orders at the time.

One was for the alleged serious assault of a man in Airdrie in late September 2024 which was said to have involved a knife.

This charge ended up part of the murder case and a not guilty plea was accepted for that accusation.

Tony Lenehan KC, defending, said McLachlan – also a joiner – had recently moved to Airdrie and had been drinking to excess that evening.

The advocate said: “When he was sober, he regretted everything about that night.”

Lord Young cut the minimum jail-term from 21 years due to the guilty plea.

He said he had read emotional victim impact statements from Jamie’s grieving relatives describing how “harrowing” the death had been for them.

The judge told McLachlan: “The casual way in which you fetched and used a knife to what you saw as a slight to your dignity is difficult to comprehend.

“This was not an impetuous or instinctive reaction by a young immature person.

“By fetching a knife and targeting Jamie Lucas, you can be seen to have plotted revenge on him.”

Following his death, Jamie was described as having a “passion for life”.

He was said to be a “gifted artist” who also had a love of music and gigs.

Jamie was a “proud and devoted” dad to his young son and much missed by others close to him.