Airdrie, North Lanarkshire – A 53-year-old man has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison for the murder of his partner in their home just before Christmas 2022. John-Paul McLaughlan confessed to killing his partner, Stacey Warnock, 51, at their residence on Barra Drive in Airdrie. The prosecutor detailed the “brutal” knife attack that left Ms. Warnock with 58 injuries to her head, neck, and body.
The couple had a tumultuous history, dating back to 1998, splitting up, and rekindling their relationship in 2010, before eventually moving in together. The tragic events unfolded in December 2022, with Ms. Warnock’s lifeless body found in a bath days after the incident, when McLaughlan’s colleagues paid a visit to the house.
Neighbors recalled hearing strange noises coming from their home, with McLaughlan exhibiting unusual behavior in the days following the murder. He sent cryptic messages to a workmate, hinting at the tragic events that had occurred. When confronted by two coworkers at his residence, McLaughlan admitted to the crime, asserting it was an act of self-defense.
Despite McLaughlan’s claims, the court found him guilty of a “brutal, merciless, and sustained attack” on his partner. The judge sentenced him to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years to be served. McLaughlan, who had a history of violence, had no recollection of the fatal attack, citing a fractured memory of an argument leading up to the tragic incident.
Detective Inspector Campbell Jackson described the murder as a “horrendous and brutal attack” characterized by a high level of violence. While the sentencing could not undo the tragedy, it aimed to provide closure to Stacey Warnock’s family and friends impacted by the senseless loss. The court emphasized the severity of the crime, acknowledging the devastating impact on the victim and her loved ones.