Life sentence for nurse killer

Brian Hossack • Published 1 Apr 2010 14:00

A MAN who strangled a nurse to death during a violent attack in a Greenock flat has been jailed for at least 14 years.

John Miller, 46, was yesterday sentenced after being found guilty by a jury of murdering grandmother Elizabeth Duncan, 48, at the home they shared in Wellington Street last May.

Today Elizabeth's daughter, Angela, 29, welcomed Lord Matthews' decision to hand down a life sentence - and said she hoped Miller would 'rot in hell' for what he had done.

She said: "We are all still grieving for our mum, but this gives us some sort of closure."

Angela added her family had hoped Miller would get a longer sentence when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow for sentencing.

She added: "His lawyers might be happy that they got him 14 years for murdering my mum, but there are no fancy solicitors in hell to help him - and that is exactly where he is going.

"I would have liked to have seen a heavier sentence but at least it is some sort of justice. We were all worried that because he hadn't been in trouble before then he might have been given less but we know now he is behind bars for a long time."

Angela told the Tele how she spent the morning at Elizabeth's grave yesterday, unable to face her mother's killer in court for a second time.

She said: "I would have liked to have been there to see him sentenced, but after going through the trial in Greenock I just couldn't face it.

"I don't want to see him ever again, he is an absolute monster and now everyone knows it. Instead of going to court, I went to see my mum.

"I wanted to be with her when Miller got sent to jail.

"I will never see my mum again. At least his family can visit him in jail."

At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Lord Matthews said the former shipyard worker would spend at least 14 years in prison before even being considered for parole.

Sentencing Miller, he added: "This is a case I remember very well, one where a pleasant night out ended in violence and one where a jury found you guilty of murder.

"I take into account that no weapon was used and the fact it was not a premeditated act. However, it still resulted in this woman's death.

"When you will be released, if ever, is a matter for the parole board."

Previously during a six-day trial at Greenock Sheriff Court, Miller denied murdering gran Elizabeth, who worked in the high-dependency unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, but was convicted by a majority verdict.

Defence QC Gordon Jackson said: "It was a tempestuous relationship on both sides but there is no doubt that this was a lady that he loved.

"Now, despite appearing as a first offender, he finds himself in jail for her murder.

"There is no evidence he held her throat for any more than 10 to 15 seconds after the red mists descended and to his credit he has never denied being responsible for what happened, and I would ask this is all taken into account."

Miller, who smiled and waved to family members as he was taken down, was convicted of killing Elizabeth by seizing hold of her neck and compressing it with his hands, restricting her breathing and murdering her.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Apr 10

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