Glasgow cop speaks out on 'horrendous' murder of Maryhill's Steven Clark

We told earlier how Christopher Lawson brutally murdered 45-year-old Steven Clark at his home in Maryhill in October 2019. 

Lawson made sick boasts to a police custody officer that he had "done a first-degree murder" and claimed he had killed Mr Clark for his sister. 

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Clark is now facing a life sentence after admitting to the callous killing. How long he must spend behind bars before being eligible for parole will be determined by judge Lord Armstrong when the case calls again next year.

Now the lead detective on the case said he hoped today's result in court. 

Detective Chief Inspector Stevie Wallace, said: "This was a horrendous attack on a vulnerable man in his own home.

"Hopefully this result today will give Steven’s family and friends closure on what has been a horrific period in their lives.

"I'd like to thank the investigative team for all of their hard work on this case and their efforts to get justice for Steven.”

Defence QC Donald Findlay claimed his client had "absolutely no recollection" of the killing. 

However, Mr Findlay said in the course of the ongoing trial, which ran for four days, Lawson realised he was responsible for murdering Mr Clark.

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Mr Findlay said: “during the trial Mr Lawson's agitation and concern could clearly be seen.”

The QC added: “He had no ill will towards Mr Clark. If there is a common thread to this it is street valium.

“Mr Lawson said to his mum: 'I can't go through with the trial and the chance of being acquitted when I killed this man.”

Lawson, who is a prisoner in Polmont Young Offenders' Institution, will be sentenced in January.

Judge Lord Armstrong told Lawson: “I intend to order a background report to find out your personal circumstances and you will be detained in custody meantime.”

Lawson's plea of not guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of or burning clothing worn during the murder and disposing of the weapons was accepted by the Crown.

Jurors heard that Lawson while being held in Glasgow's Govan police station on October 15, 2019, made comments to police custody officer James Thompson.

Lawson, who is a prisoner in Polmont Young Offenders' Institution, will be sentenced in January.

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Judge Lord Armstrong told Lawson: “I intend to order a background report to find out your personal circumstances and you will be detained in custody meantime.”

Lawson's plea of not guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of or burning clothing worn during the murder and disposing of the weapons was accepted by the Crown.

Jurors heard that Lawson while being held in Glasgow's Govan police station on October 15, 2019, made comments to police custody officer James Thompson.

Mr Thompson told prosecutor Greg Farrell said: "As we were walking, he stated he had had his last cigarette for the next 20 years.

"He said he had done a 'first-degree murder'. He said he had 'done it for his sister' and that it 'had to be done'."

Mr Thompson initially thought the comments were "strange" as they were like something from an "American TV show".

But, he immediately told investigating detectives after Lawson was put in his cell.

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A neighbour of Mr Clark earlier told jurors how she had seen Lawson and another man, yelling up at the victim's window shortly before the murder.

Sarah Brannigan, 37, said: "They were shouting 'Clarky'. I heard 'you better let me in, you dirty, fat b*****d'. You owe me money. If you do not give me the money, I am going to get you done in'."

The court was also shown during the trial horrific photos of Mr Clark's dead body lying in his home.