A KILLER who murdered a disabled man in a horror blaze has been jailed for at least 19 years.

Ryan Brandie, 24, torched the home of Gary Gallogley in April last year – then confessed to his partner.

Brandie initially smacked the 54-year-old with his own walking stick before starting two fires at the flat in Inverness.

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Tragic Gary – who moved north from Lanarkshire – died two days later in hospital after suffering severe burns.

Brandie was today convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Lord Mulholland told him the killing was “vicious and hateful”.

The judge said: “He was a man who done you no harm. He presented no threat to you.

“For no reason, you assaulted him by striking him with his walking stick.

“This rendered him more infirm and unable to escape.

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“You set two fires in his small flat – one in the bedroom and one close to where he was lying in the living room.

“The death must have been painful and horrific.”

Jurors heard during the trial how Brandie claimed he would get “17 years” for the crime.

But, imposing the life sentence, Lord Mulholland told him: “I will set the punishment part at 19 years – not the 17 years, as you thought.”

The murder occurred on April 3 last year.

The court was told today Brandie had been jailed for assault and housebreaking in 2016 as well as other convictions for violence.

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Police Scotland acknowledged the conviction and sentencing.

Senior investigating officer, detective inspector Eddie Ross, said: "Gary Gallogley was a vulnerable man who did nothing to deserve his brutal and savage death at the hands of Ryan Brandie.

"Brandie's actions which led to Mr Gallogley's death and his subsequent efforts to avoid taking responsibility afterwards were both wicked and reckless. It is right that he will face the consequences of his horrendous behaviour.

"While nothing can change what happened, I hope this conviction can bring some form of closure to Mr Gallogley's family."