Christopher Lynch was sentenced to a minimum 17 years and three months for the fatal attack on Stuart Williams, 50, at a property in Glasgow’s Tollcross on June 25 2023.
The 56 year-old – who was on bail at the time – had claimed he had been acting in self-defence during a struggle with Mr Williams.
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Lord Harrower remarked no motive had emerged for the killing, but Lynch had claimed to a social worker in a pre-sentencing report that the victim apparently owed him money.
A witness told jurors last month how he knew both men.
He recalled being at home on the day of the murder when he went to his door and “all hell broke loose”.
The door was then ajar when he suddenly got a “big worker’s glove” in the face.
He told the court: “I got the fright of my life. I was not expecting that.”
He said the masked assailant told him: “Shut your f***ing mouth or you will get it and all.”
The witness stated the person – said to be Lynch – was armed with a “tool and a half” described as having a six to seven inch blade.
The witness told prosecutor John Macpherson he was ordered into his living room where he “sat like a wee mouse”.
He said it felt like he was there “all day and night” before the attacker “bounced up” out of his flat.
The witness said he then got a glimpse of Mr Williams out on the landing.
He described initially hearing mumbling before what he said was a “groan”.
He said: “I presume the groaning was Stuart because he is not here any more.”
He recalled getting his jacket and away from the scene because he was “scared”.
Mr Williams suffered stab wounds to his chest and neck. He still managed to dial 999, but tragically did not survive his injuries.
In his closing speech to jurors, advocate depute Mr Macpherson dismissed any claims of self-defence insisting Lynch’s attack on Mr Williams was “deliberate and unjustified”.
The court heard Mr Williams had lived with his mother until she needed to go into a hospice in 2022.
Lord Harrower told Lynch: “I am told Mr Williams’ family have been unable to find the words to express their grief,
“Clearly no sentence of this court can alleviate their anguish.”
