Man battered stepfather to death before taking dog for walk

A man killed his stepfather – before taking his dog for a walk.

Dale Berwick fatally punched and kicked Thomas Adams, 65, at the family home in Glenrothes, Fife on February 20 this year.

The 29-year-old had recently moved back there after a relationship split.

Berwick later told his mother Jacqueline Adams – Mr Adams’ wife – that what happened was “a massive mistake”.

The first offender admitted to a culpable homicide charge during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

He was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

Berwick had been described as “struggling” after the breakdown of a relationship.

Hours before the killing, Berwick left the house after an apparent argument with Mr Adams.

When he returned, he lashed out at his stepdad who was holding a cup of coffee.

Thomas had also just came back from taking a young relative to McDonald’s for dinner.

The child rushed to get Berwick’s mum, who found the men confronting each other.

Prosecutor Shanti Maguire said: “In the course of the struggle, Berwick punched Thomas three or four times to the chest.

“He then kicked him causing him to fall. The child witnessed Berwick kick Thomas on the chest.

“Thomas indicated that he was struggling for breath. Berwick then kicked him again.”

The killer fled as Mr Adams begged his wife to call an ambulance before collapsing onto a table.

Police arrived first and found the pensioner unresponsive.

Due to paramedics being “some distance away”, officers carried out CPR.

A defibrillator was also tried to revive Mr Adams but police could not use it when a “warning” signal showed on the device.

Mr Adams was initially found to have a swollen neck as a result of a collapsed lung. He never survived the attack.

Ms Maguire then told the court: “After initially attending the scene – and before the ambulance arrived – police went to look for Berwick.

“He was located close by walking a dog. He was arrested for assaulting Thomas.”

After being held in custody, Berwick called his mum Jacqueline, who confronted him about the death of her husband.

He insisted it was “accidental” and that it was a “massive mistake”.

The court heard Mr Adams died as a result of blunt force chest trauma associated with rib fractures. This also affected the lungs.

Lady Stacey adjourned sentencing until next month for reports.