Giggling killer jailed for 14 years for Barrhead murder

A woman who battered a man to death with a glass tumbler and a mug has been jailed for a minimum of 14 years.

Elizabeth Shields, 33, was convicted of murdering John Cook, 61, at his home in Barrhead in East Renfrewshire last October.

The High Court heard that she giggled as she told a 999 operator that Mr Cook was dead.

She then rang her mother and told her: "I've just killed a man."

Temporary judge John Beckett QC sentenced her to life with a minimum period of 14 years before she is eligible for parole.

He said: "You must have struck your victim many times on his face, neck and right arm.

"You used a glass and a mug to strike him. You then sliced his arm while he lay defenceless.

"This was an attack of some ferocity and you took the life of a man. His friends and family are left to deal with their loss."

The court heard Shields has 49 previous convictions for offences including breach of the peace and assault.

She launched the attack after Mr Cook, who had befriended her, ordered her out of his house.

As he lay dying, she began cutting one of his wrists with the broken glass.

A jury was played a tape of her speaking to a 999 operator who asked if she wanted the police.

The 33-year-old then laughed and added: "He is pan bread, lying dead."

Throughout her trial Shields denied murdering Mr Cook.

Defence QC Edgar Prais said that his client had led a sad life and was sexually abused as a child.