Scott Thomson was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering his friend and housemate Jamie Murray
18:10, 20 Jun 2025Updated 18:15, 20 Jun 2025
Scott Thomson (R) stabbed James Murray (L)(Image: GMP (submitted))
An argument over the TV remote ended in murder after a man stabbed his housemate in the heart.
Scott Thomson had moved in with Jamie Murray in Wythenshawe after the pair met at a hostel in Rusholme and became friends. But as the months went by the “co-dependent” relationship soured as Thomson became increasingly suspicious of his flatmate.
Both Thomson, 57, and Mr Murray struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Thomson had allowed Mr Murray access to his bank account to withdraw money, but then began to accuse his flatmate of withholding change and keeping most of the supplies for himself.
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The growing suspicion also began to centre around a new TV that the pair had bought for the flat, with Thomson claiming that Mr Murray was hogging the remote.
On December 4 2024 an argument over the TV remote escalated, with tragic consequences.
Manchester Crown Court in Crown Square heard that after going into the kitchen Thomson had gone back into the living room, where he and Mr Murray both slept on two sofas.
Scott Thomson(Image: GMP)
At some point during this time Thomson, who is visually impaired, acquired a kitchen knife with a 19cm blade and moments later lashed out at his flatmate.
The knife caused an 8cm wound, penetrating through Mr Murray’s ribcage and going “straight into his heart”.
Mr Murray staggered into the street “bleeding profusely”, where neighbours rushed to help him and called an ambulance. Despite the best efforts of medics Mr Murray died where he had fallen.
Thomson would go on to be convicted of murder after a trial at Manchester Crown Court.
Prosecutor Rob Hall introduced Mr Murray’s children Ellie and Jamie Murray, who wept as they gave heart breaking impact statements about the loss of their father.
Defending, Nina Grahame KC told the court that Thomson had told police officer during interview: “You can’t make me feel any worse than I already do for what happened.”
Ms Grahame KC added: “His life has been characterised by drug and alcohol addiction, by homelessness, and by associated mental health problems.”
Summing up the evidence, Judge John Potter said: “You acted in anger against someone whom you believed had intimidated and exploited you.
“You stabbed Mr Murray once with ‘not necessarily a high degree of force’, the knife not going fully into Mr Murray’s body up to the hilt.
“Your poor vision may also be relevant here, you stabbing at the silhouette of someone in front of you who may have been moving at the time.”
The judge added that evidence from an ophthalmologist assessing Thomson’s eyesight, supported this, saying: “You would have been very unlikely to accurately aim for the heart or shoulder of your victim at the time that you stabbed him.”
Judge Potter gave Thomson a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years in prison before he can be considered for release by the parole board.
This included time already spent in custody, making the minimum term from his sentencing hearing 17 years and 172 days.
If he is ever released from prison Thomson will be subject to licence for the rest of his life.
Greater Manchester Police welcomed the sentence.
Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe said: “Firstly, our thoughts remain with James’ family and friends at this time.
“This was a tragic and totally avoidable incident that highlights the devastating impact knife crime can have. There is no doubt that this issue could have been resolved without weapons.
“Today’s sentencing should be a strong deterrent for those carrying and using a knife.”