ROBERT BAYNE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN WISHAW FOR MURDER OF ZOE NELSON

In a tragic and shocking case that has rocked the community of Wishaw, Robert Bayne, aged 21, was convicted of the brutal murder of 17-year-old Zoe Nelson and was subsequently sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison. The heinous crime took place near Cambusnethan, Wishaw, in May of the previous year, leaving the local community devastated and seeking justice for the young victim.

Bayne’s attack on Zoe was particularly savage. Court proceedings revealed that he forcibly covered her face with a plastic sheet and set her on fire in the woods known locally as Monkey Hill. The incident was so severe that a member of the public, upon discovering her badly burned body the following day, initially mistook it for a charred dummy before realizing it was a human corpse. The discovery shocked everyone, and the details of the crime underscored its brutality.

During the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, evidence was presented that linked Bayne directly to the murder. DNA samples taken from Zoe’s remains matched those of Bayne, establishing a clear biological connection. The court also heard that Zoe, a student at Motherwell College, had previously been in a relationship with Bayne. Witnesses testified that Zoe had expressed concerns about Bayne’s controlling behavior, revealing that he would not permit her to see certain friends and was possessive of her.

Further evidence showed that Zoe had confided in a close friend about her relationship with Bayne, describing him as controlling. The prosecution argued that Bayne’s actions extended beyond the murder itself, as he attempted to cover up his crime. He was found guilty of not only the murder but also of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by setting fire to Zoe’s body, washing and disposing of clothing worn during the attack, discarding her mobile phone, and falsely claiming to police that another individual had confessed to the crime.

At the sentencing hearing on April 27, 2011, Lady Dorrian, the presiding judge, handed down a mandatory life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years. She described the crime as “appalling” and “shocking,” emphasizing the severity of Bayne’s actions. The Nelson family, visibly distressed, expressed their disappointment with the length of the sentence. Zoe’s aunt, Shirley Nelson, aged 35, voiced their grief and frustration, stating, “A life should mean a life. We should go back to the old days and bring back hanging.”

During the verdict reading, Bayne’s behavior was confrontational. He fought with security personnel and police officers, headbutted one officer, and shouted abusive language, including, “You have fucking got me for fuck all. You’re a fucking wee cow. You’re dead.” His outburst led to him being forcibly restrained and removed from the courtroom, where he was detained in the court cells below. The proceedings continued without him, and he was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment at HMP Edinburgh.

It was also revealed that Bayne had a criminal history prior to this murder. Just seven weeks before killing Zoe Nelson, he had been released from prison after serving an 18-month sentence for assault and robbery in Hamilton. His record includes multiple convictions for drugs charges, theft, and assault, indicating a pattern of violent and criminal behavior. Throughout the case, Bayne has shown no remorse for his actions, further fueling public outrage and calls for harsher punishments.

In response to the tragedy, Zoe Nelson’s family has expressed their profound grief and anger. They have called for a return to harsher justice measures, with some suggesting that the death penalty should be reinstated. As they come to terms with the loss of Zoe, they have thanked the community for the support they received during this difficult time, acknowledging that her life was tragically cut short by the evil actions of Robert Bayne in Wishaw.