JASON GRAHAM SENTENCED IN LIVINGSTON FOR THE BRUTAL MURDER OF ESTHER BROWN IN GLASGOW
Jason Graham, 30, appeared at the High Court in Livingston on Wednesday to be sentenced after admitting to the serious sexual assault and murder of Esther Brown at her home.The 67-year-old, described as "a much-loved and active member of the community," suffered horrific injuries during the attack in the Woodlands area of Glasgow earlier this year.
Judge Lord Armstrong stated that Graham had committed the "gravest of crimes involving the most depraved actions," characterizing it as "utter brutality." Addressing Graham directly in court, the judge said, "Your actions have caused significant emotional harm to Ms Brown’s family.
Your victim was a woman who lived a fulfilling and rewarding life, devoted to helping others." Prior to this, Graham had been jailed for seven years in 2013 for raping an older woman.
At the time of the murder, he was under police supervision as a registered sex offender after being released from prison on licence in 2018.
He was arrested and charged approximately a week after Ms Brown’s body was discovered at her West Princes Street home on Tuesday, June 1.
Ms Brown had been reported missing for four days when community members noticed she had not attended local events.
At an earlier hearing in October, prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told the High Court in Glasgow that a post-mortem examination indicated Ms Brown was "fighting for her life" during the assault and had injuries "consistent with sexual assault." He added that she suffered a "sustained beating" with pieces of wood from a broken chair, which was damaged during the incident.
Following the attack, the court heard Graham used Ms Brown’s bank card to purchase a packet of cigarettes.
During Wednesday’s hearing, defence lawyer Brian McConnachie QC stated that Graham had "no recollection" of the attack, attributing it to his being under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time.
He also discussed Graham’s diagnosis of PTSD after witnessing his mother’s suicide at age six, describing it as having a lasting impact on his life.
"There is no doubt that this adverse childhood experience is certainly a contributory factor," said McConnachie.
Lord Armstrong noted that Graham’s PTSD "does not stop the offender from being aware of his actions," and emphasized that "excessive alcohol consumption does not detract from the nature of his actions." The judge further stated that Graham poses "a very high risk of reoffending." Considering Graham’s earlier plea to rape and murder, which was entered last month, Lord Armstrong reduced his sentence for the rape to six years and eight months, to run concurrently with the murder sentence.
The total sentence now amounts to a minimum of 19 years in prison, backdated to June 7, with the possibility of parole.
Outside the court, Helen Moran, who worked with Ms Brown in the community, and Sharon McKay, a resident of the Woodlands area, expressed their disappointment with the sentencing.
"It’s a worry for the community; he (Graham) poses a danger to anybody," Moran said.
"Esther was a wonderful person.
We worked together preparing meals for those in need." McKay added, "The impact of her death has been immense in the community.
The sentencing is very disappointing because many of us have seen perpetrators let back into society.
We need to see change in the justice system." Homicide and major crime Procurator Fiscal David Green commented, "This was a shockingly brutal attack on a woman in her own home.
Jason Graham’s conviction follows diligent police work and the efforts of specialist prosecutors to identify and bring him to justice.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Ms Brown’s loved ones as they try to come to terms with this tragedy."
