Dunes murder pair jailed

Bob Rose (54) was beaten and smothered to death and dumped in a shallow grave in Scotland, where he had moved to begin a new life.

Jealous John Campbell (59) was given a life sentence for killing love rival Mr Rose, ollowing a month-long trial in Glasgow.

Co-accused Stephen Crummack (51)—a former close friend who even ate Christmas dinner with Mr Rose and his family in 2008—was given 11 years for “culpable homicide”.

Glasgow High Court heard that Mr Rose’s fate was sealed when he began an affair with monkey scientist Margaret Johnston (34), who had a child with Campbell.

Judge Lord Turnbull, sentencing on Tuesday, told Campbell: “You were convicted of murdering Mr Rose, motivated by your dislike of him and your reaction to his involvement with your former partner Ms Johnston.

“You still protest your innocence. You lied to the police and made considerable efforts to make sure his body was not discovered.“Despite all your efforts, you were undone by your inability not to boast about your conduct to a fellow inmate.”

Mr Rose’s body was bundled into a Land Rover and dumped in sand dunes on the Orkney Island of Sanday in early June 2009. His disappearance sparked a massive police hunt.

Crummack, who eventually led police to the body, was told by the judge: “You have been found responsible for the killing of Mr Rose, but not to the same extent.

“Your conscience did come to lead you to assist the police in a significant way. If you had not done so it is not possible to see how the police inquiry would have ended.”

Mr Rose, a former construction worker from Thurcroft, bought a run-down home on the island to refurbish as he made a fresh start in 2008 following the death of his wife from cancer.

Advocate Frances Connor told the court that father-of-eight Campbell—who will serve at least 16 years—still protests his innocence.

“Before relocating to Sanday to start a new life with Ms Johnston his life was largely unremarkable,” he added. “His previous convictions are of substantial age and for dishonesty.”

Solicitor advocate Paul Burns, representing Crummack, said: “He very much regrets the part he played in this tragedy.

He is extremely sorry for the pain that this has caused particularly to Mr Rose's children.”

Mr Rose’s daughter Katie gave a family statement after the verdict last month, saying: “He was a great man, kind and generous. He was the kind of man who always left a good impression and he will be missed by many and never forgotten.”