Hamilton killer murdered man in broad daylight

A killer was caught on CCTV murdering a man in broad daylight in South Lanarkshire.

William Lewis stabbed to death William Copeland moments after the men appeared to embrace each other.

The 56-year-old then attacked the victim’s father Thomas, 59, in his wheelchair during the “soul-destroying” attack in Hamilton last October.

Lewis pleaded guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder as he appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.

He will learn the minimum amount of time he will spend behind bars when he is sentenced in September.

William Copeland, 36, was with his father and another man when there had been a brief “verbal altercation” with Lewis earlier on the day of the killing.

The three men were later in the area around Hamilton’s Burnbank Centre when Lewis and a friend turned up.

Prosecutor David Logan said William seemed in “good spirits” with him being seen “shaking hands and hugging” both Lewis and the other man.

But within seconds Lewis became aggressive and produced a knife.

A number of William’s relatives sobbed as they watched graphic CCTV footage of the attack.

William was stabbed in the torso and tumbled to the ground, but initially managed to get to his feet and stagger away a short distance.

Lewis went after William, who fell again, and stabbed him several times to the torso, head and neck.

He then pointed the weapon at William’s father Thomas, who was stabbed in the chest, causing him to fall backwards in his wheelchair.

The killer continued shouting before walking off and hiding the knife in his pocket.

Witnesses rushed to help both men, with one giving CPR to William until paramedics arrived. However, he died having suffered eight stab wounds.

Thomas was taken to hospital where he received emergency surgery.

He was later discharged but the court heard the murder had a “traumatic effect” on both him and other relatives, especially witnessing his son being attacked in front of him.

The hearing was told Lewis had previous convictions including a high court drugs offence from 2000.

Lord Colbeck continued his remand in custody as the case was adjourned for reports.

In the aftermath of the killing, William’s sister Aggie Smith spoke of the family’s loss.

She said: “William would always be there for us. There are no words to describe how difficult this is.

“It really is soul-destroying. He would go out and play football with his nephews. William treated them as his own.”