MAN JAILED OVER PEEBLES POSTWOMAN MURDER
A man who murdered a postwoman in the Scottish Borders has been jailed for at least 16 years.Nicholas Rogers stabbed Alexandra Stuart, 22, at a house party in Cuddyside, Peebles, last August.
He had admitted killing her but claimed he was suffering from an "abnormality of the mind" at the time.
A jury rejected that claim and convicted him of murder last month.
Lord Summers sentenced him to life imprisonment at the High Court in Glasgow.
The judge said it was clear the killer had been in "possession of his faculties" and had ignored warnings not to mix alcohol with drugs.
He added that Rogers wanted to study psychology while in jail to "better understand" how he had found himself in such a situation.
Police said Rogers had at no time shown "any remorse or regret".
Det Ch Insp Stuart Reid stated: "The level of violence Rogers subjected Alex Stuart to prior to her death demonstrates what a dangerous individual he is.
While this sentence cannot undo the pain and suffering he has caused Alex's family, it is my hope that they can find solace in justice having been served and can begin to move on with their lives." In a statement, Ms Stuart's family described the conviction as reflecting Rogers' responsibility for the "senseless murder" of their daughter.
They said his defense of diminished responsibility due to mental health issues was not upheld.
They also believed that his behavior was due to alcohol and illegal drug consumption, which was the substantive cause of her death.
