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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Stuart MacDonald

Scottish man who killed lover after hearing she would tell wife of affair appeals conviction

A former Scotland hockey player who murdered a woman after learning she was about to tell his wife they were having an affair is to appeal his conviction.

Craig Walker, 41, left Lauren Wilson with 77 injuries, including 29 stab wounds, after the attack at his flat in Renfrew on 26 May 2021.

Walker then put the body of the 34-year-old in a sports bag to dispose of it.

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At the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month he was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 21 years.

Walker has now launched a bid for freedom after instructing his legal team to challenge both his conviction and sentence.

His appeal bid was lodged at the High Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh and a hearing will take place at a later date.

The killing happened on the day of Walker's ninth wedding anniversary with wife Seonid, 38. The couple had split in the summer of 2020, but Walker had been set to return to the family home.

But prosecutors said supermarket worker Lauren was about to reveal the length of their affair and had tried contacting Seonid on the morning of the attack.

Walker lured his victim to his flat where he battered, strangled and stabbed her before stuffing her into a sports bag.

The former Scotland and Great Britain hockey player denied murder, insisting there had been a "frantic struggle".

The first offender also said that he lied to Lauren about having cancer in an attempt to "push her away".

Sentencing Walker, judge Lady Stacey told him: "You murdered an innocent young woman who was in a relationship with you. She must have trusted you.

"These actions are disgraceful. No one can know the pain and anguish and perhaps terror you inflicted on her.

"Lauren Wilson was a much loved daughter, step-daughter, sister and mother who had a group of loyal friends. Nothing I can say or do can take away the grief these people feel and always will feel.

"The consequences of what you did are devastating for her family and young daughter. Their grief is overwhelming. You have deprived the child of her mother's love and guidance."

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed an "intimation of intention to appeal" against conviction and sentence had been lodged for Walker.

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