Perth killer Robbie Smullen has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison.
The 23-year-old was found guilty last month of killing 22-year-old Barry Dixon.
Mr Dixon died after being stabbed in the heart with a knife at a flat in Perth’s Wallace Court on June 4 2019.
In Edinburgh on Friday morning, Lady Carmichael sentenced Smullen to nine years in prison, backdated to last March.
Smullen had the further three months added for breaching bail when he killed Barry Dixon.
Lady Carmichael told Robbie Smullen: “No sentence I can impose today can repair or lessen the harm that you have caused to the family of Barry Dixon.
“The effects of your actions are enduring for them and felt deeply by them.”
She said the crime “involved the culpable taking of life using a knife.”
Smullen had denied murdering former Perth Academy pupil Barry in a fit of jealousy when he found his victim in his then girlfriend Shannon Beattie’s flat, claiming to have acted in self defence.
However, he later bragged about his actions.
A jury at the High Court in Edinburgh judged him guilty of the lesser offence of culpable homicide last month.
A criminal justice social work report prepared since Smullen’s conviction and defence counsel Ronnie Rennuci QC told the court he had been engaging in educational programmes since being remanded.
Mr Renucci QC agreed with a background report that described his client as an “immature” young man.
The court heard Smullen maintained the position he was provoked and acted in self defence.
“It was not the case that he was going looking for Mr Dixon, or looking for trouble,” Mr Renucci said.
“He was returning to his family home and came upon a situation which he was not and could not have anticipated.
“There is no evidence that Mr Smullen entered the property with the knife.”
Mr Renucci told the court: “He has recognised he has to change his ways and move on from his past life.
“He very much regrets his involvement in the death of Barry Dixon.”
He said Miss Beattie had tried to contact him in prison.
“He has no desire to re-engage with Miss Beattie. He wants to re-enter society as a much different person.”
Smullen’s mother, Mary Theresa Smullen, 46, appeared in the dock with him and was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and given a two-year supervision order after admitting to perverting the course of justice.
She pretended to police officers the crime had been committed by Smullen’s former girlfriend Shannon Beattie, knowing her son had stabbed Mr Dixon.
Gordon Martin, solicitor advocate for Smullen’s mother, said his client – who had been released on bail – appreciated that her offence “crossed the custodial threshold, as it were.”
He said: “Had she had her life to live again, she would not have done what she did on this occasion.
“For what it’s worth, she was the one who contacted the ambulance.”
Lady Carmichael told her: “Perverting the course of justice is always a serious matter,” and “never more so” than when it relates to when somebody has been killed.
She added “thankfully” Ms Smullen’s actions did not lead police down the wrong path for long.
Outside court, Mrs Smullen described the sentence as a good result and said she was keen to draw a line under the matter.
“It’s been a good outcome, I would say. At least it’s over and done with.”
Detective Inspector Stewart Andrew of the Police Scotland Major Investigation Team said: “Our thoughts remain with Barry’s family and friends, I can only hope that this outcome, which I know may not provide any closure to them, can help them begin to move on with their lives.
“The investigation was a culmination of forensic work, extensive proactive policing along with assistance and information we received from the local community which was invaluable.”
Mr Dixon’s family had indicated before sentencing they would be launching an appeal and are campaigning for more convictions in relation to his death.
The family have also set a £50,000 fundraising target to continue their legal action.
