Murderer planned to spend dying days at scene of his horrific crime
Ally McGilvray • Published 17 Jan 2012 09:30
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A MURDERER caged for life for killing and mutilating a mentally-ill man in the Borders has died in jail.
Richard Barnes was convicted, along with his younger brother Russell, of the murder of 30-year-old Daniel Thomas at his home in Sanderson Court, Galashiels, in October 2003.
He was jailed for life after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
But, according to the Scottish Prison Service, the former hotel porter - who was described as an "executuioner" by Judge Roderick Macdonald - died aged 38 at HMP Glenochil in Clackmannanshire on Saturday.
The Border Telegraph understands that Barnes, who was ordered to spend at least 18 years behind bars before being considered for parole, had applied for earlier release on compassionate grounds after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
It is thought he had hoped to spend his final days in Galashiels with his mother at her home in Sanderson Court - the scene of his horrific crime.
During the murder trial, the court was told that the evil brothers killed Daniel in a frenzied, drunken, deadly knife attack because they believed he was a paedophile.
And even after they had killed him they continued to mutilate his body. But it was stated in court that their victim was totally innocent.
He was stabbed 50 times with a kitchen knife and died in a pool of blood on his livingroom floor.
One blow went through the heart - and experts said wounds to his arms showed how he tried in vain to ward of the fatal blows.
Richard and Russell, both of Galashiels, had denied murdering Daniel at his home in Sanderson Court off the town's Magdala Terrace.
But during the lengthy hearing in Edinburgh, Russell confessed to the murder and Richard was found guilty by the jury.
Both brothers had a long history of crime. Richard killed after being freed early from a three year jail sentence for a serious assault in Galashiels. He made 37 court appearances since 1990 and was awaiting trial accused of assault with intent to ravish.
Their father Richard Edwards, also of Galashiels, admitted punching Daniel in an earlier attack. Edwards also had a long criminal record.
Daniel's family was in court to see the brothers being caged. And in a statement they welcomed the sentences.
The family stated: "We accept that the interests of justice have been served so that we can move on. We treasure his memory."
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