TEENAGER WHO BURNED GIRLFRIEND TO DEATH SENTENCED TO AT LEAST 21 YEARS
A teenage offender who set his girlfriend ablaze and trapped her as she succumbed to the flames has been sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison.During the sentencing at Edinburgh’s high court, Lord Bracadale condemned the attack on Jessica McCagh as being of “extraordinary cruelty,” characterizing the murder as “barbaric and evil.” The defendant, 18-year-old Stewart Blackburn, was found guilty of the killing at their apartment in Arbroath on 25 April of the previous year following a trial that lasted ten days in December.
Court reports revealed that Blackburn poured petrol on McCagh amid an argument and ignited her, while also holding the bedroom door shut to prevent her escape.
Blackburn insisted the fire was accidental, suggesting that embers from a cannabis joint ignited petrol from a dismantled motorbike’s tank; however, expert witnesses dismissed this, describing the act as premeditated and involving fuel and fire.
Additionally, the court was informed of Blackburn’s prior threats to set fire to his girlfriend’s parents’ home with petrol.
Jessica McCagh sustained burns over 85% of her body and died later that day in Ninewells Hospital.
The judge noted Blackburn’s previous convictions for assault and violence as a minor, including an incident at age 13 where he threw a petrol bomb at a house after a disagreement.
The court detailed the murder sequence: first pouring petrol on her, then igniting her, and ultimately, blocking her escape by holding the door shut.
Blackburn, who was 17 at the time of his crime, was sentenced to serve at least 21 years before being eligible for parole, with the parole board responsible for assessing his readiness for release.
The court underscored the cruelty and wickedness of the crime committed.
