The killer of a 44-year-old Galashiels man in London has been given a life sentence.

Michael Boyle died from his injuries after being stabbed at the Sir Robert Peel pub in Southwark during the early hours of February 25.

Geoffrey Downs, of Camberwell, stuck a blade into the father of one.

Downs had initially been charged with attempted murder - but following Mr Boyle's death at Kings College Hospital from multiple organ failure on March 10 the indictment was changed to murder.

He pleaded guilty during a court appearance at the end of July.

On Friday at the Inner London Crown Court, the 37-year-old was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 25 years behind bars.

A second man, Derek Green, 48, of Langdale Close in Southwark, was sentenced on the same day to two years and three months imprisonment for assisting an offender.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Stuart Reeves from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “Mr Boyle was defenceless when he was attacked by Downs on that fatal morning in February and he tragically later died from his injuries.

"No sentence will make up for the tragic loss that the family and friends of Michael Boyle have, and will continue to endure.

"We hope that today’s sentences will provide some comfort to Michael’s family and friends.”

Mr Boyle was buried at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Edinburgh on April 24.