THE bereaved father of a young woman stabbed to death at a party has refuted claims by her murderer that he was seriously let down by mental health services.
Callum Stuart’s daughter, Alex, 22, was murdered by Nicholas Rogers, 28, at a house party in Peebles. He lashed out with a knife after he thought he had been laughed at.
Refuting claims by Rogers that he did it while in a state of serious mental illness, Callum Stuart said his daughter’s killer had been driven by his “drink and drugs problem”.
Callum Stuart, 50, said: “This was not a case of him being denied mental health care. It was driven by his drink and drugs problems.
“That is why he was found guilty of murder and not culpable homicide.”
Evidence heard at Nicholas Rogers’ murder trial at Glasgow High Court last week revealed experts missed five chances to step in and stop him stabbing postal worker Alex in August 2017.
Rogers was found guilty of murder and warned that he faces a “substantial sentence”.
He had labelled himself “The Beast” after psychotic character in a film.
NHS Borders deny they failed to give adequate mental health care to Rogers.
Rob McCulloch-Graham, of NHS Borders, said: “This is a devastating incident and I wish to express my sincere condolences.”
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