A former couple have been jailed for the "frenzied" knife murder of a man after an argument broke out in a tower block. Robert Fisher, 26, was found critically injured in a flat in Maxwellton Street, Paisley, on 23 July 2023 and died in hospital four days later. Cameron Woods, 27, and Stacey Balfour, 24, who were together at the time, were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow last month. Prosecutors said Woods fatally stabbed Mr Fisher while his then partner Balfour was "acting in concert" as she knew there would be violence. Woods was jailed for a minimum 18-and-a-half years and Balfour for 16 years. The trial had earlier been told all three had been in a flat with other people in the Renfrewshire town. During this time a witness said Woods had been spotted with a large kitchen knife. Meanwhile, Balfour had shown someone a small lockback blade - attached to a set of keys - which was later used in the fatal attack. The court heard it was launched after the atmosphere between the group in the flat became "volatile". Prosecutor Erin Campbell said it was clear "the situation escalated" and eventually led to Mr Fisher being stabbed "in what amounted to a murderous attack". The victim managed to stagger out of the flat with blood on his face and on his t-shirt. A man dialled 999 as Mr Fisher groaned in the background: "I have been stabbed." He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he later died. During the trial, the court heard Mr Fisher had five separate stab wounds and possible defensive injuries. Ms Campbell told the jury: "If you are trying to strike someone in the head or chest then there are only two possibilities. "Either you are deliberately trying to kill the person. "Or you are so angry and wild in the moment, you have total disregard if the person lives or dies." The advocate depute told the court Mr Fisher had been subjected to a "frenzied attack". Woods was later stopped by police at a cycle track and found to be in possession of the murder weapon, with Mr Fisher's blood on it. Balfour initially told police she had last seen the victim when he left the flat with another man. Donald Findlay KC, defending Woods, said "no one set out looking for trouble". "Something clearly happened which led to a conflict. "There was a reaction to something." Balfour's KC Thomas Ross said she had previously suffered a "traumatic" incident in 2014 and a had been in a "toxic relationship" before the killing.
Couple jailed over 'frenzied' knife murder in tower block
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Couple Sentenced for Murder Following Violent Altercation in Paisley"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A former couple, Cameron Woods and Stacey Balfour, have been sentenced for the brutal murder of 26-year-old Robert Fisher, following a violent altercation in a tower block in Paisley. The incident occurred on July 23, 2023, when Fisher was discovered critically injured in a flat on Maxwellton Street. He succumbed to his injuries four days later in the hospital. During the trial held at the High Court in Glasgow, it was established that Woods had fatally stabbed Fisher while Balfour played a supportive role, being aware violence was imminent. The court heard testimony from witnesses who recalled seeing Woods wielding a large kitchen knife, while Balfour had also shown a smaller knife that was ultimately used in the attack. The atmosphere among the group in the flat had become increasingly volatile, culminating in a frenzied attack that left Fisher with multiple stab wounds and signs of defensive injuries. Prosecutors described the assault as a murderous act, emphasizing the severity of the situation that escalated rapidly among those present.
The aftermath of the stabbing was harrowing, with Fisher managing to escape the flat, bleeding and in distress, as he called for help. Emergency services were alerted, and he was transported to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The evidence presented at trial included Woods being apprehended by police at a nearby cycle track, where he was found with the murder weapon still in his possession, stained with Fisher's blood. Woods received a sentence of 18-and-a-half years, while Balfour was sentenced to 16 years. Defense attorneys for both individuals argued that the incident stemmed from a reaction to an unexpected conflict, with Balfour's lawyer mentioning her history of trauma and previous toxic relationships. Ultimately, the court's decision reflects the gravity of the crime and the tragic outcome of the confrontation in the flat.
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