OFFENDER ANDREW KEMP JAILED FOR JEALOUS RAGE MURDER
At 48 years old, Andrew Kemp was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, Leighann Wightman, aged 24, which occurred at her house on Norman Street in Netherfield on 15 October 2011.The killing ensued after Kemp became jealous upon learning that Wightman had sent texts to a friend, leading him to stab her multiple times.
Despite having a prior restraining order due to an assault, records showed both continued to communicate regularly.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a guilty verdict of murder.
Kemp was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years.
The court heard that Kemp's violent behavior spanned over 27 years, including a previous trial for the murder of Nora Smith in Falkirk, from which he was acquitted in 1993 with a 'not proven' verdict.
The judge condemned the act as 'truly terrible' and stressed that it could have been avoided.
His deliberate breach of the restraining order and unlawful entry into Wightman’s residence were recognized as acts intended to cause her harm.
Police described Wightman as a 'vulnerable' victim, and the case served as a grim reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of respecting restraining orders.
