Killer jailed for life after rape and murder of mum

David Hose preyed on Kirsty Robertson in Ayr during 2019.

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A killer has been jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years for the rape and murder of a mother in her own home.

David Hose, 30, preyed on Kirsty Robertson at the property in South Ayrshire in the early hours of October 20, 2019.

The 29-year-old was discovered that morning lying on a couch by neighbours.

On Monday, Hose was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.            

He was found guilty last month of the rape and murder of Ms Robertson after a trial.

Prosecutors stated Hose pressed Ms Robertson’s neck, forced her head into a couch leaving her face down causing her breathing to be restricted.

Judge Simon Collins QC told Hose: “You assaulted and raped Kirsty Robertson in the living room of her home while she was intoxicated with alcohol.

“If that was not appalling enough, her children have suffered the loss of their mother.”

Hose had been separately convicted of raping a second woman at another house in Ayr in June 2017.

Judge Collins sentenced him to five years for that attack to run concurrently to the 18 years.

Hose and Ms Robertson had been drinking with friend Shona Harbison, 36, the night before her death.

He had been due to stay the night there.

Ms Harbison stated Ms Robertson was “passed out” on the sofa when she left the house at 1.30am.

Ms Harbison was later woken up by Hose later that day at her own house.

The witness told jurors: “He told me that Kirsty was dead and I did not believe him.

“I was trying to take it in and understand as I saw her a couple of hours ago and she was fine.”

Jurors were shown a text message Ms Robertson’s friend Stephanie King, 27, was sent by Hose on the morning of her death.

Hose stated: “When I left this morning, I thought she was sleeping but maybe she was dead, I don’t know.”

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