Drug dealer sentenced for brutal killing of Kelty dad
A drug trafficker, who killed a man in a hammer attack in Fife, has been jailed for eight years.
William Richardson (35) turned up at a house in Keltyhill Avenue, Kelty, and went into a bedroom to assault Colin Oliphant (pictured above).
Mr Oliphant (39), who owed £200 for drugs, died shortly afterwards from chest trauma complications and was found to have sustained 39 injuries.
Richardson (above), from Glasgow but living in Ballingry at the time, later handed himself in to police and admitted culpable homicide.
Judge Lord Woolman told Richardson at the High Court in Edinburgh, “This was a savage assault with a weapon. It resulted in another man’s death. His young daughter has lost her father.”
During the fatal attack other people in the house heard Mr Oliphant say, “Sorry Willie, don’t hit me, stop it Willie.”
Richardson then emerged from the room with his injured victim walking behind him before the killer told him “You know I am a boxer” and then punched him.
Richardson, who was jailed for heroin supply in 2013, was described as acting “full of bravado” after the attack.
Despite the efforts of paramedics Colin died a short time later.
Detective Inspector Stuart Alexander, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said, “Colin was the victim of a brutal attack causing injuries that ultimately led to his death.
“Richardson has admitted that his actions caused Colin’s death and I hope that this, alongside the sentence, can help Colin’s loved ones to move forward with their lives.”
