Guilty Verdict
I wasn't in the least surprised at the guilty verdict delivered by the jury against a 20-year old psychopath from Glasgow, Paul McManus, who had a string of violent convictions to his name.
Nor was I surprised that this young man was such a brazen and practised liar because he denied the charge of attempting to murder Norman Busby (86), despite stabbing the elderly gentleman three times in the chest.
But what did take me back were the desperate arguments of the defence counsel for the accused Gordon Jackson QC, who seemed willing to discount the evidence of Norman Busby who witnessed the brutal attack on his partner with his own eyes.
But what did take me back were the desperate arguments of the defence counsel for the accused Gordon Jackson QC, who seemed willing to discount the evidence of Norman Busby who witnessed the brutal attack on his partner with his own eyes.
Now I'm not a criminal defence lawyer and so I'm no expert on how these things work, but I've represented lots of people in my time in different situations and I think that sometimes the best thing for an 'advocate' to do is to tell their client that their case simply doesn't stand up.
Isabelle Sanders' family has called for McManus to be handed an exemplary sentence and for committing such a dreadful crime it's difficult to see, in this case, why a life really shouldn't mean life behind bars.
Paul McManus guilty of brutal murder of Isabelle Sanders during robbery
Paul McManus was convicted of murdering Isabel Sanders at her home in Crookston
A man has been convicted of murdering a woman by stabbing her 37 times during a robbery at her home in Glasgow.
Paul McManus brutally killed 51-year-old Isabelle Sanders at her house in the city's Crookston area on 9 April.
He was also convicted of attempting to murder her partner, Norman Busby, 86, who survived being stabbed by McManus.
The 20-year-old from Glasgow was also convicted at the city's high court of two other robbery-related stabbings. He now faces a mandatory life sentence.
At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lord Armstrong told McManus: "This was a violent and vindictive murder of a woman in her own home and what was a cowardly attack on an 85-year-old man (now 86) who spent his life serving the community." Friends blamed
Lord Armstrong added: "The only sentence which can be imposed is life imprisonment."
The judge will determine the minimum period McManus should spend in prison at a sentencing hearing in January. He has deferred sentence until then for background reports on McManus because of his age.
When the jurors returned their verdict McManus, who was guarded in the dock by three G4S officers, showed no emotion.
Advocate depute Bruce Erroch, prosecuting, told the court that he had a number of previous convictions for violence including offences involving knives.
A man has been convicted of murdering a woman by stabbing her 37 times during a robbery at her home in Glasgow.
Paul McManus brutally killed 51-year-old Isabelle Sanders at her house in the city's Crookston area on 9 April.
He was also convicted of attempting to murder her partner, Norman Busby, 86, who survived being stabbed by McManus.
The 20-year-old from Glasgow was also convicted at the city's high court of two other robbery-related stabbings. He now faces a mandatory life sentence.
At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lord Armstrong told McManus: "This was a violent and vindictive murder of a woman in her own home and what was a cowardly attack on an 85-year-old man (now 86) who spent his life serving the community." Friends blamed
Lord Armstrong added: "The only sentence which can be imposed is life imprisonment."
The judge will determine the minimum period McManus should spend in prison at a sentencing hearing in January. He has deferred sentence until then for background reports on McManus because of his age.
When the jurors returned their verdict McManus, who was guarded in the dock by three G4S officers, showed no emotion.
Advocate depute Bruce Erroch, prosecuting, told the court that he had a number of previous convictions for violence including offences involving knives.
Isabelle Sanders died after suffering 37 stab wounds
Ms Sanders' brother James Dougall later called for the "severe punishment" of her killer.
He said: "We would now respectfully request the Scottish judiciary, and in particular Lord Armstrong, to support the Scottish government's justice policy and ensure public confidence remains in our justice system by imposing a severe sentence on the violent re-offender who has devastated our family.
"We would encourage everyone who agrees with this view to ensure their opinion is heard."
McManus had denied murdering Ms Sanders and had lodged a defence of incrimination, blaming his former friends Ross Arthurs and Christopher O'Reilly.
Both men denied being at Ms Sanders' home at 77 Raeswood Drive on the night of the murder.
Ms Sanders' brother James Dougall later called for the "severe punishment" of her killer.
He said: "We would now respectfully request the Scottish judiciary, and in particular Lord Armstrong, to support the Scottish government's justice policy and ensure public confidence remains in our justice system by imposing a severe sentence on the violent re-offender who has devastated our family.
"We would encourage everyone who agrees with this view to ensure their opinion is heard."
McManus had denied murdering Ms Sanders and had lodged a defence of incrimination, blaming his former friends Ross Arthurs and Christopher O'Reilly.
Both men denied being at Ms Sanders' home at 77 Raeswood Drive on the night of the murder.
'Covered in blood'
The jury heard how McManus was armed with a knife in each hand when he barged his way into Ms Sanders' home after the door had been answered by Mr Busby.
The 86-year-old described staggering back and being stabbed "several times" in the chest before Ms Sanders, who had been upstairs in bed, came to the top of the stairs.
Mr Busby said: "Isabelle screamed and ran down the stairs and she saw him standing there. I was lying on the floor covered in blood.
"She saw him stealing stuff and she tried to push him out the front door and he had his knives and he stabbed her several times.
Isabelle Sanders' brother appeals for justice to be upheld
"She fell to the ground covered in blood. I reached out but she was dead."
The court heard that after seizing car keys from the house, McManus left, taking £300 in cash, a decanter filled with whisky and a laptop. He could not start the car and fled.
Pathologist Dr Marjorie Turner told jurors that Ms Sanders had 61 separate injuries to her body and suffered 37 stab wounds, two of which were fatal.
Some of the stab wounds had sliced through bone and Dr Turner said these would have required "moderate force".
Mr Busby suffered two punctured lungs in the attack, which could have proved fatal without treatment.
The jury heard how McManus was armed with a knife in each hand when he barged his way into Ms Sanders' home after the door had been answered by Mr Busby.
The 86-year-old described staggering back and being stabbed "several times" in the chest before Ms Sanders, who had been upstairs in bed, came to the top of the stairs.
Mr Busby said: "Isabelle screamed and ran down the stairs and she saw him standing there. I was lying on the floor covered in blood.
"She saw him stealing stuff and she tried to push him out the front door and he had his knives and he stabbed her several times.
Isabelle Sanders' brother appeals for justice to be upheld
"She fell to the ground covered in blood. I reached out but she was dead."
The court heard that after seizing car keys from the house, McManus left, taking £300 in cash, a decanter filled with whisky and a laptop. He could not start the car and fled.
Pathologist Dr Marjorie Turner told jurors that Ms Sanders had 61 separate injuries to her body and suffered 37 stab wounds, two of which were fatal.
Some of the stab wounds had sliced through bone and Dr Turner said these would have required "moderate force".
Mr Busby suffered two punctured lungs in the attack, which could have proved fatal without treatment.
DNA link
The court was also told by Mr Arthurs that McManus had confessed to him that he carried out the murder.
He said McManus told him he "couldn't stop" after attacking Ms Sanders, adding: "He said he stabbed her repeatedly on the head and shoulders. It was horrible."
He was accused by McManus' defence QC Gordon Jackson of making up the story, but Mr Arthurs told the court: "I'm not a novelist. You don't just make up things like that."
The jury also heard that a pair of jogging trousers and a tracksuit top belonging to McManus had the DNA of Ms Sanders on them.
The court was also told by Mr Arthurs that McManus had confessed to him that he carried out the murder.
He said McManus told him he "couldn't stop" after attacking Ms Sanders, adding: "He said he stabbed her repeatedly on the head and shoulders. It was horrible."
He was accused by McManus' defence QC Gordon Jackson of making up the story, but Mr Arthurs told the court: "I'm not a novelist. You don't just make up things like that."
The jury also heard that a pair of jogging trousers and a tracksuit top belonging to McManus had the DNA of Ms Sanders on them.
Norman Busby was stabbed three times by McManus
The trainers he wore were never recovered. McManus threw them away in a bin in Glasgow city centre after buying a new pair with cash he had stolen from Mr Busby.
In evidence, McManus admitted the jogging trousers and tracksuit top were his, but claimed that on the night of the murder they were worn by Mr Arthurs.
McManus also told the jury that he had stabbed Mr Busby in a panic and was upstairs when Ms Sanders was stabbed by one of his friends.
The jury of nine women and six men took less than two hours to find McManus guilty of all charges.
The trainers he wore were never recovered. McManus threw them away in a bin in Glasgow city centre after buying a new pair with cash he had stolen from Mr Busby.
In evidence, McManus admitted the jogging trousers and tracksuit top were his, but claimed that on the night of the murder they were worn by Mr Arthurs.
McManus also told the jury that he had stabbed Mr Busby in a panic and was upstairs when Ms Sanders was stabbed by one of his friends.
The jury of nine women and six men took less than two hours to find McManus guilty of all charges.
'Horrendous attack'
He now faces a mandatory life term for murder.
Det Ch Inspector Jim Smith, from Police Scotland, said: "This was a horrendous attack on a vulnerable elderly man and his partner who were within their own home when McManus turned up at their door with violence and theft on his mind.
"Norman has been left shattered by the death of his partner Isabelle, who died a violent death in her own home at the hands of McManus who had no regard for the consequences of his actions.
"Understandably, it has been an incredibly difficult time for Isabelle and Norman's family, and I would like to pay tribute to them for their bravery and their courage throughout."
Isabelle Sanders death: Jury urged to convict 'evil' accused
He now faces a mandatory life term for murder.
Det Ch Inspector Jim Smith, from Police Scotland, said: "This was a horrendous attack on a vulnerable elderly man and his partner who were within their own home when McManus turned up at their door with violence and theft on his mind.
"Norman has been left shattered by the death of his partner Isabelle, who died a violent death in her own home at the hands of McManus who had no regard for the consequences of his actions.
"Understandably, it has been an incredibly difficult time for Isabelle and Norman's family, and I would like to pay tribute to them for their bravery and their courage throughout."
Isabelle Sanders died after suffering 37 stab wounds
Jurors in the Isabel Sanders murder trial have been told the accused is an "evil" man who carried out a "barbarous catalogue of violence and destruction".
In his closing speech at the High Court in Glasgow, advocate depute Bruce Erroch, prosecuting, said there was "no doubt" of Paul McManus' guilt.
The 20-year-old has denied murdering Ms Sanders at her Crookston home in April.
Defence QC Gordon Jackson said the Crown had not established his client was responsible for the "bloodbath".
Mr McManus, from Glasgow, denies murdering Ms Sanders at her home at 77 Raeswood Drive, Crookston on 9 April.
He is also accused of attempting to murder her 86-year-old partner Norman Busby, and the attempted carjacking and stabbing of Daniel O'Donnell hours earlier in Barrhead Road, Glasgow, on 8 April.
'Let justice be done'
He is further accused of stabbing and attempting to rob Ching Long Law, in Nitshill Road, Glasgow, on 2 April.
In the witness box on Tuesday, Mr McManus admitted stabbing Mr Busby, Mr O'Donnell and Mr Law, but blamed his former friends Ross Arthurs and Christopher O'Reilly for the murder of Ms Sanders.
Advocate depute Mr Erroch told the jurors: "In the days of early April, real evil - and I don't use that term lightly - stalked the streets of the south side of Glasgow in the guise of Paul McManus.
"There can be no doubt that Paul McManus is guilty, convict him of all the crimes and put a stop to him. Let justice be done."
Jurors in the Isabel Sanders murder trial have been told the accused is an "evil" man who carried out a "barbarous catalogue of violence and destruction".
In his closing speech at the High Court in Glasgow, advocate depute Bruce Erroch, prosecuting, said there was "no doubt" of Paul McManus' guilt.
The 20-year-old has denied murdering Ms Sanders at her Crookston home in April.
Defence QC Gordon Jackson said the Crown had not established his client was responsible for the "bloodbath".
Mr McManus, from Glasgow, denies murdering Ms Sanders at her home at 77 Raeswood Drive, Crookston on 9 April.
He is also accused of attempting to murder her 86-year-old partner Norman Busby, and the attempted carjacking and stabbing of Daniel O'Donnell hours earlier in Barrhead Road, Glasgow, on 8 April.
'Let justice be done'
He is further accused of stabbing and attempting to rob Ching Long Law, in Nitshill Road, Glasgow, on 2 April.
In the witness box on Tuesday, Mr McManus admitted stabbing Mr Busby, Mr O'Donnell and Mr Law, but blamed his former friends Ross Arthurs and Christopher O'Reilly for the murder of Ms Sanders.
Advocate depute Mr Erroch told the jurors: "In the days of early April, real evil - and I don't use that term lightly - stalked the streets of the south side of Glasgow in the guise of Paul McManus.
"There can be no doubt that Paul McManus is guilty, convict him of all the crimes and put a stop to him. Let justice be done."
Paul McManus denies murdering Isabelle Sanders during a robbery at her home
Mr Erroch told the court that Mr McManus was responsible for "a horrific and barbarous catalogue of violence, depravity and destruction".
He added that there was "not one shred of evidence" for Mr McManus's claim that Mr Arthurs and Mr O'Reilly were at 77 Raeswood Drive that night.
The prosecutor told the jury: "It is a ludicrous, ludicrous story you have been asked to swallow. There was only one man there and that was Paul McManus."
Mr Erroch said that there were bloodstains on jogging trousers and a tracksuit top belonging to Mr McManus which matched Ms Sanders DNA.
He told the jury: "There is more than enough evidence to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Paul McManus is guilty of all the offences, including the murder of Isabelle Sanders."
Mr Erroch, referring to 8 April into the early hours of 9 April, spoke of a day in the life of Mr McManus.
'Savage attack'
The prosecutor said: "What a day that was. It started with the shoplifting of Buckfast in the afternoon, working up to assault and attempted robbery, then the attempted murder of Norman Busby and culminating in the murder of Isabelle Sanders.
"Ms Sanders had 61 separate injuries. She had 37 stab wounds to her head, face, chest and back, mostly to the left side of her body. She had defensive wounds, particularly to her right hand. She had injuries to her heart and her pulmonary artery and both lungs.
"Paul McManus has admitted going to Raeswood Drive armed with two knives. This was a savage, savage and forceful attack on a defenceless woman.
"He stabbed her not once, not twice, not three times, but 37 times. Isabelle Sander's killer intended that she should die."
Mr Erroch told the court that Mr McManus was responsible for "a horrific and barbarous catalogue of violence, depravity and destruction".
He added that there was "not one shred of evidence" for Mr McManus's claim that Mr Arthurs and Mr O'Reilly were at 77 Raeswood Drive that night.
The prosecutor told the jury: "It is a ludicrous, ludicrous story you have been asked to swallow. There was only one man there and that was Paul McManus."
Mr Erroch said that there were bloodstains on jogging trousers and a tracksuit top belonging to Mr McManus which matched Ms Sanders DNA.
He told the jury: "There is more than enough evidence to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Paul McManus is guilty of all the offences, including the murder of Isabelle Sanders."
Mr Erroch, referring to 8 April into the early hours of 9 April, spoke of a day in the life of Mr McManus.
'Savage attack'
The prosecutor said: "What a day that was. It started with the shoplifting of Buckfast in the afternoon, working up to assault and attempted robbery, then the attempted murder of Norman Busby and culminating in the murder of Isabelle Sanders.
"Ms Sanders had 61 separate injuries. She had 37 stab wounds to her head, face, chest and back, mostly to the left side of her body. She had defensive wounds, particularly to her right hand. She had injuries to her heart and her pulmonary artery and both lungs.
"Paul McManus has admitted going to Raeswood Drive armed with two knives. This was a savage, savage and forceful attack on a defenceless woman.
"He stabbed her not once, not twice, not three times, but 37 times. Isabelle Sander's killer intended that she should die."
The attack took place at Ms Sander home in Crookston
In his closing speech, Mr Jackson told the jury of nine women and six men that the Crown had not established that Mr McManus had murdered Ms Sanders,
"If the Crown can't establish that you can't convict him," he said.
The QC admitted that Mr McManus was no angel and added: "This is a young man who has behaved very, very badly.
"He has admitted things and is going to jail for them. I don't ask you to like him this is not about him, this is about the evidence."
Mr Jackson told the jury that Mr McManus admitted stabbing Mr Law on 2 April, robbing an off-sales on 8 April and stabbing Daniel O'Donnell on 8 April and attempting to rob him of his BMW.
The court heard that Mr McManus also admits stabbing Mr Busby, but not attempting to murder him.
Mr Jackson said: "My client went there and stabbed Norman Busby, but he did not attempt to murder him.
'Hellish bloodbath'
"Mr Busby got stabbed, but my client wasn't there to stab anybody. He was trying to steal a car, which seems to be a bit of an obsession. He didn't go there to stab anyone.
"What I need to speak to you about is the murder of Isabelle Sanders. He says he never did it. He never touched her. He says that it was somebody else that did it or perhaps more than one person."
Speaking of the two men McManus has incriminated - Mr Arthurs and Mr O'Reilly - Mr Jackson said: "You wouldn't trust Arthurs to buy you a loaf. And Mr O'Reilly knows where he was the night of the incident, but not the night before it or the night before that."
Mr Jackson added: "This was a bloodbath. This was hellish. Blood everywhere and on clothing linked to McManus there is Isabelle's Sanders blood, but he says he wasn't wearing the items."
The trial before judge Lord Armstrong continues.
In his closing speech, Mr Jackson told the jury of nine women and six men that the Crown had not established that Mr McManus had murdered Ms Sanders,
"If the Crown can't establish that you can't convict him," he said.
The QC admitted that Mr McManus was no angel and added: "This is a young man who has behaved very, very badly.
"He has admitted things and is going to jail for them. I don't ask you to like him this is not about him, this is about the evidence."
Mr Jackson told the jury that Mr McManus admitted stabbing Mr Law on 2 April, robbing an off-sales on 8 April and stabbing Daniel O'Donnell on 8 April and attempting to rob him of his BMW.
The court heard that Mr McManus also admits stabbing Mr Busby, but not attempting to murder him.
Mr Jackson said: "My client went there and stabbed Norman Busby, but he did not attempt to murder him.
'Hellish bloodbath'
"Mr Busby got stabbed, but my client wasn't there to stab anybody. He was trying to steal a car, which seems to be a bit of an obsession. He didn't go there to stab anyone.
"What I need to speak to you about is the murder of Isabelle Sanders. He says he never did it. He never touched her. He says that it was somebody else that did it or perhaps more than one person."
Speaking of the two men McManus has incriminated - Mr Arthurs and Mr O'Reilly - Mr Jackson said: "You wouldn't trust Arthurs to buy you a loaf. And Mr O'Reilly knows where he was the night of the incident, but not the night before it or the night before that."
Mr Jackson added: "This was a bloodbath. This was hellish. Blood everywhere and on clothing linked to McManus there is Isabelle's Sanders blood, but he says he wasn't wearing the items."
The trial before judge Lord Armstrong continues.
