The father of tragic Marie Low, who was killed in an argument over £10, has written to the justice secretary urging him to consider tougher jail terms.
Albert Low, 70, scribed his heartbreaking letter to Michael Matheson, describing the “pure hell” his life has become since the death of Marie.
Siobhan Russell, 31, was jailed for just over 5 years earlier in January after being found guilty after trial of Marie’s death.
The pair had argued over a small sum of money in September 2016 and in an ensuing fight Marie was stabbed in the heart with a knife.
Russell had originally been charged with murder, but was found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide by a jury at the High Court in Aberdeen.
Mr Low penned his thoughts to the Scottish Government’s legal chief, asking him to consider tougher sentences for those guilty of causing death.
In an interview with The Sun newspaper, Mr Low said he now dreads his birthday, as it coincides with the day Marie was killed.
He said: “I’ve given up the idea of celebrating a birthday or Christmas again.
“If I hear certain songs I burst out crying. It tears me up knowing I’ll not see her face again until I die.”
In his letter, he pleads with Michael Matheson to reconsider lenient sentences and notes the murder rate in the city recently as “ridiculous”.
He said: “I am traumatised by what happened and all I want is justice for Marie and the other families who are going to suffer. The murders that have happened in Dundee over the last six months are ridiculous.
“These lenient sentences will only make people think they can get away with murder because they’ll know they can get out in a few years’ time.
“My ex-wife Jean has a shrine to my daughter in her room but I can’t look because it’s too sore. As I write this letter now my heart is pounding through the pain. I know the deep sorrow I feel will never get better.
“I believe that this is going to take years off my quality of life. All I can ask is for you to have a heart and put a stop to these lenient sentences.
“There will never be any forgiveness from me. I just pray for the day I see my daughter again.”
A Crown Office spokesperson said: “As with all cases, the Crown will consider the sentence and give consideration whether it might be unduly lenient.”
