Police ScotlandTwo men who laughed and celebrated after they murdered a dad in a street attack have been handed life sentences.
Simon Roberts, 38, and Sean McKie, 37, pounced on Malcolm McCandlish, 43, in Irvine in September 2024.
Malcolm and his sister’s partner had approached the pair after McKie had earlier slapped his sibling.
The dad-of-one was punched to the ground by Roberts before the pair knocked the other man unconscious.
GofundmeRoberts continued the attack upon Malcolm by repeatedly headbutting him before McKie kicked him on the head.
Smiling Roberts went on to slap McKie on the back as they walked away after he imitated the kick he had just carried out.
The two men then posed for a smiling selfie in a pub, which was uploaded to social media 30 minutes later.
Roberts and McKie were given a life sentence after they were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of murdering Malcolm McCandlish.
They were also convicted of assaulting the second victim, resulting in his permanent disfigurement.
Judge Lady Drummond sentenced Roberts to a minimum of 18 years and McKie to 17 years for both charges.
The judge told them: “Mr McCandlish was a much-loved dad, stepdad, son, brother, uncle and partner.
“He was known for his kindness and compassion.
“The victim impact statement told me the devastating impact this has had on his family, partner and friends.
“They have described their lives as shattered and their grief all-consuming.
“It was senseless violence from you two, and your utter disregard for human life has taken that away from them.
“Nothing I can say or do can change that for them.
“As you both understand, for murder the punishment has been fixed by law and you each will serve a sentence of life imprisonment.
“I need to reflect the crime of murder and deter others from committing murder.”
In describing the pair leaving the scene, the advocate depute stated a “smile” could be seen from under Roberts’ cap.
Mr McIntosh added: “McKie kicked the air while Roberts slaps him on the back and – as a detective constable put it – it was an act of celebration.”
The trial also saw a selfie uploaded by one of the men, which showed the pair smiling.
Mr McIntosh said: “This selfie was taken 30 minutes after they left Malcolm lying unconscious.”
Roberts himself, in a message to his mother, said that he was “expecting to get a sentence” for his own part in the attack.
In explaining a motive for the attack, Mr McIntosh said: “These were two men looking out looking for trouble, behaving like thugs itching for a fight.”
Jurors heard that Malcolm died two weeks later in hospital from a brain injury.
A doctor stated that the injury was “the type clearly caused by the fall and likely sustained when Malcolm hit the ground.”
It was further claimed that Malcolm would have died within days, if not hours, if surgery had not been performed on him.
Roberts, a painter and decorator, in his evidence claimed that he was acting in self-defence.
He claimed that Malcolm “threatened to stab” him and McKie.
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