Man raped and murdered mother-of-two in her own home

A killer faces life in jail for the rape and murder of a mum-of-two in her own home.

David Hose, 30, preyed on vulnerable Kirsty Robertson, 29, at the property in Ayr, South Ayrshire, in the early hours of October 20, 2019.

She was discovered that morning lying naked on a couch by neighbours. Hose later told a friend that she “may have been dead” when he left the property.

A post-mortem examination was unable to establish a cause of death. But, prosecutors stated Hose pressed Ms Robertson’s neck, forced her head into a couch, leaving her face down and her breathing restricted.

He was convicted on Tuesday of the rape and murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Hose was further guilty of raping a second woman at another house in Ayr in June 2017. The burly killer showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned.

Judge Simon Collins adjourned sentencing until next month. The court heard Hose and Ms Robertson were drinking with friend Shona Harbison, 36, the night before her death.

Hose was to stay the night to help look after Ms Robertson’s children in the morning. 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.

She 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.”

Prosecutor Lynsey MacDonald asked if she questioned Hose about how he found out Ms Robertson had died.

She replied: “He said some girl called Vicky had said to him. I said: ‘I thought you were staying at Kirsty’s to help her’. He said he could not get to sleep on the single chair in the living room.”

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

Hose stated: “When I left this morning, I thought she was sleeping but maybe she was dead, I don’t know.” Ms King asked “where was she lying” and Hose replied: “On the couch.”

Hose later said: “I don’t know what the f*** happened after I left, I wish I was there.”

Pathologist Dr Julie McAdam – who examined Ms Robertson’s body – marked the cause of death as “unascertained”.

Ms MacDonald asked the witness: “Does that mean you have no idea whatsoever how she died?” Dr McAdam replied: “It does not mean I have no idea. It is just in this case I cannot be certain how she died.”

Ms Robertson was found to be the equivalent of eight times over the drink drive limit. Prosecutors said Hose took advantage of the mum who was described as “intoxicated, unconscious and incapable of giving consent”.

Hose had earlier raped a 28-year-old woman after she had also been drinking with the killer at a house in Ayr in June 2017. The witness said her last memory was watching Ayr United videos on YouTube with him. Prosecutor Ms MacDonald asked how she felt when she woke up.

The woman replied: “Dizzy and sore, I had not put anything together yet. I do not remember anything…how I was in bed or why I was naked.”

The woman stated Hose refused to answer if they had had sex and she later told a relative she thought she had been raped.

Hose also allegedly raped a third woman between June and December 2018 in Ayr, but jurors returned a not proven verdict on that allegation.

A fundraiser was launched on behalf of tragic Ms Robertson after her death hoping to raise £3000 for her funeral.

Samantha Hart said on the Just Giving page: “Kirsty was an absolute diamond and an amazing mum to her two kids who meant the world to her.”

Police Scotland welcomed Hose’s conviction on Tuesday.

Detective inspector Fraser Normansell, senior investigating officer from the major investigations team, said: “My thoughts remain with the family of Kirsty Robertson, including her two young children at this time, but I hope that the fact that David Hose has now been found guilty will afford them some sense of justice.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the community who came forward with information and assisted with our investigation.”

Hose is due to be sentenced on June 21.