Murderer shot man with paintball gun and stabbed him to death

A killer who shot a man with a paintball gun and stabbed him has been given a life sentence.

Mark Allison, 46, attacked Robbie Yuill at a property in Smyllum Road in Lanark on December 2, 2023.

The 33-year-old was later found unconscious and did not survive a fatal stab wound.

Allison denied murdering the man during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

He had initially pinned the blame on another man – then claimed he had been acting in self-defence.

Allison was found guilty of the charge on Monday.

Judge Lord Stuart ordered Allison to serve a minimum of 18 years behind bars.

The judge said: “It is clear that you fired the first shot and did so when he was on his hands and knees and posed no threat to you.

“With the apparent swiftness you opened fire, I can conclude you went there with the intention of violence.

“You went there with the clear intent to assault Mr Yuill and were reckless to the consequence.”

Allison told jurors he “knew of” Mr Yuill for 20 years.

He stated there had been “no history of trouble” between them.

Allison said he had gone to the scene after a friend had asked for help getting Mr Yuill out of a relative’s home.

He took his paintball gun with him.

It was put to him that was an “odd” thing to do, but Allison claimed it was just to “scare” Mr Yuill and not to cause him harm.

Allison told the trial Mr Yuill refused to get out when he asked him to.

He admitted then repeatedly firing the paintball gun at him.

Allison then claimed Mr Yuill got up and “lunged” at him.

He said the victim was apparently holding a “black object”.

The court heard allegations the men “wrestled” after Allison again discharged the paintball gun.

The pair “swung around” before Mr Yuill apparently fell and then left the property.

He was later found, but emergency services were unable to save him.

Prosecutors stated Allison got rid of the paintball gun and went on to stay at two different hotels in Newhouse, Lanarkshire and in Dumfries.

He told the trial that the first he heard Mr Yuill had died was on social media.

Allison said he knew “police would be looking for him” as he had been in a fight with Mr Yuill which involved a blade.

Allison instead claimed Mr Yuill died while he was trying to protect himself.

It was revealed that Allison has previous convictions for violence as well as behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

Police Scotland detective chief inspector Laura Sands said: “Robbie’s murder has left his family absolutely devastated and our thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time.

“This was a violent attack which resulted in shocking loss of life and Allison will now face the consequences of his actions.

“While this conviction cannot change what has happened, I hope it will give Robbie’s family and friends some closure.

“Violent incidents such as this are not tolerated in our communities and our officers will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”