Detectives yesterday revealed the brute who battered Renfrew dad Paul Mathieson to death believed he had evaded justice.
Thug Jamie Anderson, 36, was caged this week for nine years after he admitted battering tragic Paul, 37, to death just yards from his home.
Cops launched a manhunt for his attacker spanning months.
The breakthrough came when officers spotted Anderson following Paul on CCTV footage and identified his distinctive Nike trainers.
Specialist forensic teams found Paul’s DNA on stitching on the right foot after painstakingly pulling them apart.
Officers in charge of the probe say repeat offender Anderson – who refused to answer police questions – thought he was in the clear over the killing.
Detective Chief Inspector Grant Macleod from Police Scotland’s Major Investigations Team (WEST) said: “This was a very challenging investigation and Jamie Anderson may have believed he had escaped justice, but the meticulous approach of the team of detectives involved made sure that he was held to account for his crime.”
He added: “Paul Mathieson was a dearly loved member of his family, who have been left absolutely devastated by his death and I hope that knowing the man responsible is now behind bars provides them with some sort of comfort.
“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Paul’s family who conducted themselves with the utmost dignity throughout an extremely distressing time.
“This case should send a clear message that this type of mindless violence ends lives and has absolutely no place in our communities. “
The High Court Paul had met his killer days earlier by chance in a pub in the town.
They realised they had both dated the same woman – Gillian Carswell.
They parted on good terms but bumped into each other again on the night of the attack.
Grainy CCTV footage showed them chatting before embracing and parting ways.
Paul was found dying shortly after – with his pizza box lying on top of a nearby car.
Defence QC John Scullion told how the men had rowed about a woman.
Paul was found just yards
away from his flat in Houston Street.
He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, with blood in his lungs and brain damage.
He died just days later.
Paul’s sister Amanda Digby, 36, thanked the police for their efforts in securing the conviction.
She said: “Going to the High Court was probably one of the toughest days we’ve endured, there were lots of mixed emotions.
“ No sentence would ever have been enough for us but we are grateful to Police scotland and the justice system for their time and effort to bring justice to our family.”
The individual responsible for taking Paul’s life will serve well deserved time behind bars and will need to live with the guilt for the rest of his life.
“We are thankful everyone for the support shown to our family.”
