A serial criminal who murdered a 90-year-old retired doctor has been sentenced to life in prison and described as “evil” and “cowardly” by a judge.

Alan Massie, 32, beat and stabbed William Yule to death after breaking into the pensioner’s home with intent to steal his car keys on 6 December 2022.

Handing Massie a life sentence with at least 20 years behind bars, Lord Fairley branded the attack “as brutal as it was cowardly” and said it showed “a level of evil… beyond the comprehension of any normal person”.

The judge told Massie on Wednesday at Edinburgh’s High Court: “Your record suggests that, in contrast to Dr Yule, you have contributed little or nothing positive to the community in which you live.

“You have numerous convictions for theft, housebreaking, shoplifting, drugs, offences of disorder, and violence.

“You appear to have no regard whatsoever for court orders, and your inevitable incarceration today for a very lengthy period can be seen only as a substantial improvement to society.”

Massie had earlier pleaded guilty at the same court.

After the alarm was raised on the day of the murder, Massie was arrested a short distance from the home of Dr Yule in Forfar, Angus.

‘Much-loved’ grandfather was ‘vulnerable and defenceless’

Lord Fairley said Dr Yule was a “much-loved father and grandfather” and had “contributed significantly to society” in his role as a GP until his retirement in 1991.

The judge added yesterday: “By 2022, Dr Yule was a vulnerable man in his 90s. His wife had passed away in 2015, and he had chosen to continue to live in his family home with regular assistance from carers.

“He should have been able to do so in peace and in safety.

“By your actions on 6 December 2022, you shattered that peace and safety.

“Dr Yule was a vulnerable and defenceless man. You entered his home intending to steal from him, but then inflicted upon him a murderous assault that was as brutal as it was cowardly.

“No sentence that I can impose today will provide any comfort to Dr Yule’s family for the enduring hurt and pain that you have caused for his death and their knowledge of the manner of it.”

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Police Scotland said the retired GP was very well-known in the area and the nature of his death “shocked the whole community”.

Following the court case, Detective Inspector Craig Ross added: “The pain someone feels when losing a loved one in such circumstances is unimaginable.

“I hope [Wednesday’s] outcome can bring some degree of closure to the family and friends of Dr Yule.

“I would also like to thank the local community for their support and cooperation throughout the investigation process.

“No one’s life should be cut short and it’s fitting that the person responsible for Dr Yule’s death is being held to account for his actions.”

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