Man caught on camera murdering stepfather in brutal hammer attack

Dean Martin killed Keith Allan on July 5, having blamed him for his mother's death just weeks prior.

Dean Martin killed his stepfather Keith Allan at their home in Bathgate, West Lothian iStock

A man was captured on camera murdering his stepfather in a brutal hammer attack.

Dean Martin killed Keith Allan having blamed the 42-year-old for his mother’s death.

The 33-year-old struck last July 5 at the house they shared in Bathgate, West Lothian as two children cowered upstairs.

The attack spilled outside as Mr Allan desperately yelled for neighbours to help him.

A judge heard how one woman captured part of the incident on her mobile phone as Martin continued the assault on the doorstep.

The delivery firm worker now faces a life sentence after he pled guilty to a murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

Mr Allan had been married to Martin’s mum Christina Allan for 16 years.

But, she took her own life on June 9, just weeks before the killing.

Prosecutor Mark Mohammed said Martin “formed the belief” that Mr Allan was responsible for what happened.

Despite that, on July 1, Martin moved in with Mr Allan having split from his partner.

But, the hearing was told they went on to “argue frequently”.

On the afternoon of the murder, Mr Allan told a woman he was “struggling” with Martin living at the house.

However, he decided to give his stepson “one more night”.

Just hours later, Martin went on to kill Mr Allan striking him at least 15 times with a hammer.

Two children upstairs had initially been alerted to Mr Allan shouting: “What are you doing to me?”

Martin screamed back: “You should not have done that to my mum.”

One of the children was described as “hyperventilating” as he phoned for help.

Mr Allan managed to crawl to the front door despite being under attack.

One neighbour then tried to step in.

But, Mr Mohammed told the hearing: “Keith Allan repeatedly shouted ‘help me’.

“Martin shouted to the man: ‘It is ok. It has got nothing to do with you’.”

A retired police officer also tried to intervene. He spotted Mr Allan lying “half in and half out” the front door covered in blood.

The mobile phone clip was played in court on Thursday. Martin refused to look at the screen and sat with his head in his hands in the dock.

Martin called his ex-partner after the killing stating: “I’ve just done him. I’m really sorry. 

“My mum told me to do it. He killed my mother.”

Mr Allan did not survive the attack having suffered “extensive head injuries”.

A claw hammer was found by police hanging from a fence at the front door.

After being held, Martin again apologised for what happened.

The court was told Martin claimed his mum had been given drugs by Mr Allan.

But, it was stated there was “no evidence” drug use was linked to her death.

Lord Matthews remanded Martin in custody and deferred the case for reports.

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