A man who was jailed for killing his friend with a machete has died in prison.
The Scottish Prison Service confirmed Robert MacGillivray, a prisoner at HMP & YOI Grampian had died in custody.
The 53-year-old was convicted of killing Mark Hunter in May 2013 and ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years before he could apply for parole.
He kicked, stamped and slashed the 37-year-old, causing so many injuries that a pathologist carrying out a post-mortem examination gave up counting them.
During his trial, jurors heard that former drug addict Macgillivray had a number of health problems, including emphysema, and was so ill he could barely walk down a street.
The jury heard Mr Hunter’s injuries must have been inflicted over hours, because Macgillivray had to pause to regain his strength.
A blood-stained machete was found in a cupboard at his home at 26 Glenshiel Place in Hilton, Inverness.
Forensic scientists found damage to the dead man’s clothes suggesting at least 83 blows were struck. Medics said Mr Hunter, 37, was killed by someone stamping on him.
The jury was shown CCTV footage of former hospital worker Mr Hunter stealing strong cider from a local shop. He then went to Macgillivray’s home, and neighbours heard shouts as the two men argued.
Macgillivray’s dog Tinkerbell fled and dog walker Duncan Macdonald found the animal after midnight.
He took it to its owner’s home, and saw Mr Hunter lying on the floor. Police and medics called to the house on June 22 last year found that Mr Hunter had been dead for some time.
Frail Macgillivray accused Mr Hunter of stealing his brandy.
His defence counsel, advocate Shahid Latif, told the High Court at the time that Macgillivray “bitterly regrets the homicide”.
A spokesman said: “Police Scotland have been advised and the matter will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
“Next of kin have been informed and a fatal accident inquiry may be held in due course.”
