A Glasgow killer who murdered his ex-partner's mother claimed he could not remember knifing her to death.
Michael Dorey stabbed Jacqueline Grant at least 34 times at her home in Maryhill on April 6, 2021. The 48-year-old from Dennistoun pled guilty to murder at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.
Jacqueline, 54, was found dead by one of her daughters at the scene of the killing. Dorey had been due to go on trial but now faces a life sentence after pleading guilty.
READ MORE: Glasgow residents moved from homes and road closed after 'deliberate' blaze in Cadder flat
Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox.
He will learn the minimum he will spend behind bars later this month. Prosecutor Margaret Barron told how Dorey had previously been the partner of Jacqueline's 36 year-old daughter Tracey.
But, Dorey continued to have a 'good relationship' with Jacqueline even after the couple split. The killer had gone to the mum-of-four's flat on the day of the murder.
Miss Barron said Dorey spoke of planning to build a table for Jacqueline. Jacqueline's other daughters Danielle, 33, and Dionne, 26, were also there with everyone in 'good spirits'.
However, at one stage, Dorey was said to be 'angry' and 'a bit outspoken' about his ex, Tracey, being in a new relationship. Dorey and Jacqueline were eventually left alone around 12.30am.
The exact details of what then happened are not known. But, Dorey left around 12.50am and was spotted walking in Maryhill carrying a rucksack with a towel around his hand.
A passer-by asked if he was OK, but he replied, "I do not think so". He was bleeding and, after going to hospital, claimed he had been "set upon".
Miss Barron said: "He told the consultant that he was the victim of an unprovoked attack when walking home."
Dorey later stated he had been 'stabbed' by an 'unknown person'. Jacqueline's daughter Danielle meanwhile had tried repeatedly calling her mum.
Around 5.15pm on April 6, she then went to Jacqueline's flat and let herself in.
Miss Barron added: "Danielle walked further into the hall and turned towards the living room. She saw her mother lying on the hallway floor covered in blood."
Danielle discovered her mum was already dead and dialled 999. A knife was then found under her body.
The court heard Jacqueline, who had health and mobility issues, died from stab wounds to the neck. Miss Barron said pathologists noted multiple sharp force injuries including a total of 34 wounds to the body.
Jacqueline was also said to have had 'severe' defensive injuries. Dorey, of the city's Dennistoun, was traced and initially claimed to police he had not seen Jacqueline since January 2021.
But, his DNA was discovered on the knife found as well as the victim's blood on his clothes.
Donald Findlay QC was defending, on Thursday.
He said: "The central problem in this case has been the fact Michael Dorey has no memory at all of the offence. He was on reasonable terms with his former partner and the rest of the family.
"He regarded Jacqueline Grant as a kind of mother in law. There is no reason at all that I can find out as to why these events occurred, but occur they did.
"He cannot shy away from the level of violence involved."
Lord Arthurson adjourned the case and remanded Dorey in custody.
READ NEXT
Man arrested after young woman 'sexually assaulted' in Glasgow's east end
Three schoolboys charged after teenager 'battered' in East Kilbride underpass
Two missing teenagers last seen on train to Glasgow Central as police launch appeal to find them
Driver who killed Glasgow grandad by ploughing into his motorbike walks free from jail
Lanarkshire taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting teenager walks free after case not proven
