Killer William Feely jailed for stabbing man in the heart as he lay in bed

A man who violently murdered his victim as he lay sleeping in his own bed has been jailed for a minimum of 19 years.

William Feely, 53, stabbed Michael Lincoln in the heart during the attack at the victim’s home in the Pollok area of Glasgow on 4 June 2024. Mr Lincoln never recovered and later passed away in hospital.

The 49 year-old’s elderly and bedbound father was also in the property at the time.

Feely had denied murder, but was convicted by jurors.

Sentencing him at the High Court in Glasgow, Lady Haldane called the killing a “violent and murderous attack perpetrated under the cover of darkness”.

The court heard how Feely had been “angered” by a comment made by his wife, which led to him storming to Mr Lincoln’s home armed with a knife.

After the verdict, prosecutor Chris McKenna said Feely had an “extensive” criminal record and had served a string of jail terms, mainly for offences of dishonesty.

Lady Haldane said: “Your motive is not relevant, but even taking the evidence for the reasons for going there at its highest, they could never have justified the nature and ferocity of the attack.

“What makes this all the more horrifying and shameful is that you were prepared to enter the house and assault Mr Lincoln while his elderly bedbound father lay nearby.

“It culminated in a fatal blow struck with force to the heart.”

Lady Haldane said Mr Lincoln’s grieving relatives had suffered “unbearable pain and loss” due to what Feely had done.

The judge said the man’s sister had penned an emotional impact statement remarking on “the central role he played as a brother, son and uncle”.

Lady Haldane added the death had a profound effect on Mr Lincoln’s father, who can no longer live at his home as a result of what happened.

Det Insp Lesley-Ann McGee said she hoped the sentence would give Mr Lincoln’s friends and family some closure after a “shocking loss of life.”