Man jailed for ‘battering’ mother’s ex to death in Wishaw

A man who “battered” his mother’s ex-partner to death has been jailed for eight years.

John Forsyth, 29, left Barry Evans, 47, with “catastrophic and unsurvivable” injuries following an unprovoked attack at his mother’s home in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, in November 2022.

Mr Evans was described as “vulnerable” by judge Lord Young.

Forsyth’s claim of acting in self-defence was rejected by a jury, who convicted him of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow in July.

Forsyth, from Motherwell, appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing.

Lord Young told him: “You inflicted serious injuries on a man who did not present a serious risk to you.”

He added: “This was a vicious attack on a vulnerable man which resulted in his death.”

Mr Evans had been the partner of Forsyth’s mother about 10 years ago.

The victim, who was said to have been badly affected by losing his job and was taking medication for anxiety at the time of his death, had been in hospital the day before the attack.

He arrived at Forsyth’s mother’s house while she was out, the court heard.

Jurors were told Forsyth later arrived to “deal with” Mr Evans.

The victim suffered a blood clot on the brain, jaw fractures, broken teeth, black eyes and extensive bruising. He died in hospital two days later.

The court heard Forsyth’s brother sent a text message to their sister saying: “Johnny’s just battered the life out of him.”