SENTENCING STATEMENTS
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Read more about victims of crime and sentencing.
HMA v Christopher Lynch
Mar 12, 2025
On sentencing, Lord Harrower said:
"Christopher Lynch, you have been found guilty of the brutal murder of Stuart Williams.
The murder took place on 25 June 2023, in the common close of 116 Glenisla Street, Glasgow, where Mr Williams lived. Mr Williams was paying his upstairs neighbour a visit, something he frequently did. On this occasion, however, you were lying in wait, armed with a knife, having earlier barged your way into the neighbour’s flat. When there came a knock at the door, you ran out and attacked Mr Williams on the stair, inflicting stab wounds to his neck and chest. Mr Williams managed to make his way back to his own flat, from where he phoned the emergency services. However, during the call, a recording of which was played in court, Mr Williams succumbed to his injuries. When the paramedics arrived, he was found slumped against a wall, having lost half of the total volume of blood in his body.
Mr Lynch, I have taken account of everything said on your behalf by Mr Nelson. You are now 56 years old and have acquired a lengthy criminal record, mostly for road traffic offences, offences of dishonesty and for the misuse of drugs. However, many of your convictions were aggravated by reason of their involving the possession of a knife. The trial did not reveal what motive, if any, you may have had for this attack, although I note from the social work report that you believed Mr Williams owed you money. The social worker also reports that, although you accept responsibility for having taken a life, you lacked insight into the impact this would have on Mr Williams’ family. As it happens, the court heard only very little of Mr Williams’ personal circumstances. It seems he lived at Glenisla Street with his mother, until, in 2022, she was required to move into a hospice. I am told that Mr Williams’ family have been unable to find the words to express their grief. Clearly, no sentence of this court can alleviate their anguish.
The only sentence for the crime of murder is life imprisonment. I am required to fix the punishment part, which is that part which is necessary to satisfy the requirements for retribution and deterrence but ignoring any period of confinement which may be necessary for the protection of the public. I will therefore sentence you to life imprisonment to run from 14 July 2023, when you were remanded in custody. I shall fix the punishment part at 17 years and 3 months, 3 months of which are attributable to the fact that you committed the offence while on bail."