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Image source, Police Scotland
Kieran Lindsay (left) and Marshall Strachan (right ) murdered John Taylor in 2024
Two men have been convicted of murdering another man after stabbing him on his own doorstep.
Marshall Strachan and Kieran Lindsay, both 21, attacked John Taylor, 44, in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, on 18 October 2024.
The assault took place amid an apparent issue between Lindsay and Taylor. Police described it as "a brutal, pre-meditated and targeted murder."
At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Lord Arthurson said the two had committed "the gravest crime in our law" and would face life in jail when sentencing takes place next month.
The court was told that another man, 29-year-old Kiey O'Connor, drove Strachan and Lindsay to Taylor's home on Pollock Crescent but was unaware of what was to take place.
Jurors heard Lindsay and Strachan left the vehicle. Strachan was seen wearing a snood.
The men were out of CCTV camera shot for a period of one minute and 56 seconds at around 01:12.
Prosecutor Erin Campbell said: "During this time, they attended the door of John Taylor.
"While there, Marshall Strachan stabbed John Taylor to the abdomen."
The victim's friend and neighbour Fiona Houston saw the two men at his door. Taylor answered the door and went down the first step.
She believed one of the men had punched Taylor after an apparent conversation. He was later found at his doorstep with a significant stab wound and died at the scene.
Image source, Police Scotland
John Taylor died outside his home on 18 October 2024
The prosecutor told jurors in her closing speech: "Strachan ran away down the lane while Lindsay walked, simply walked, with his hands in his pockets, and went back to the car and got in.
"The car then drove away to where Strachan had stopped running and he got in the car."
O'Connor was told by Lindsay to drop them off at an area in Kilwinning called the waterpath.
Campbell said Strachan and Lindsay "casually" walked to a grass area 17 minutes later, where they "burned potential evidence".
She added: "Is that the actions of panicked people dealing with an unexpected situation or was it a plan?"
She stated that O'Connor was "unaware" of what had happened at the property.
The advocate depute said: "He became aware through his brother that someone had been stabbed."
O'Connor later sold the Volkswagen Polo car for £40 to his friend David Morrison before the vehicle was then put on Facebook Marketplace.
Call records revealed that the driver had searched the opening times for Saltcoats police office and had attempted to dial 101.
O'Connor was later arrested and charged with the murder.
However, the murder charge against him was later dropped and he gave evidence which assisted the Crown at the trial of Lindsay and Strachan.
O'Connor pleaded guilty to two charges being concerned in the supply of drugs in Ayrshire between 13 October and 18 October 2024.
The first offender also admitted to attempting to pervert the course of justice.
He was admonished by Judge Lord Arthurson who said: "I have reached the view that the highest sentence I can impose is 18 months.
"You have already spent 20 months in custody and you gave evidence in this trial over several days.
"You have no previous convictions and I have taken the view that admonition is appropriate."
Strachan and Lindsay were found guilty of murder by the jury.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports on the two men, who are first offenders, until next month. Their remand in custody was continued.
The judge told them: "You have been convicted of the gravest crime in our law and the sentence is fixed by law. That sentence is life."
Det Supt Graham McCreadie said: "This was a brutal, pre-meditated and targeted murder. Lindsay and Strachan now rightly face the consequences of their actions.
"Our thoughts remain with John Taylor's family and friends at this difficult time. Nothing will ever make up for their loss, but I hope they can find some comfort in seeing justice being done."
