Former Accountant Found Guilty Of Wife's Murder

An accountant has today been convicted of murdering his wife.

David Lilburn, 45, knifed his wife, Ann, in the head, chest and limbs "in a brutal and furious" knife attack.

The assault occurred at the couple's home in Paisley, Renfrewshire, on 29 July, 2007.

Lilburn admitted carrying out the attack on his 43-year-old wife but claimed "diminished responsibility due to mental illness".

A jury at the High Court in Glasgow returned a guilty verdict after two and a half hours of deliberation.

Lilburn will return to court to be sentenced in September.

The court heard a hysterical 999 call made by Ann as she lay dying, she screamed "I'm dead".

Lilburn's defence claimed that he believed a "black shadow" was controlling him and they asked for the charge to be reduced to culpable homicide.

Defence lawyer, Andrew Lamb, QC said his actions were "out of character".

Derek Ogg, Prosecuting said in his summation that "a faithful wife's life was taken in a most brutal and furious manner".

Mr Ogg said the wounds were inflicted with "such force" that he "actually penetrated the breast bone and ribs and skull".

"It's rage, it's jealously, it's being affronted, it's getting your own way, it's taking it out on somebody else," he said.

Mr Ogg dismissed Lilburn's claims that he had forgotten to take his medication.

The court heard that the former forensic accountant retired from his post in 2001, citing problems with his mental health.

He was later diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and schizoaffective disorder.

Giving evidence, Lilburn said that his "womanising" had led to the "complete destruction" of his wife.

It is understood Lilburn was served a letter demanding that he left the family home for the sake of Ann and her daughter.

The couple also had two sons.

The court heard that on the night of the murder, Ann had returned home and a row had broke out. Lilburn repeatedly banged her head against a doorframe and floor.

He then grabbed four kitchen knives and proceeded to stab his wife 86 times.

When police arrived at the scene, Lilburn answered in the door, wearing his dressing gown, apparently looking like "someone from the pages of a magazine".

Lilburn has told police that he has "no memory" of any attack and that he believed his wife was still alive.

Witnesses who had seen Lilburn before the attack said they had no concerns about the state of his mind.

There were shouts of "yes" from the public gallery as the guilty verdict was read out.

Lilburn faces life behind bars.

(DS/JM)