NEWS: Honey Bunny Killer

By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
December 12, 2008

THE parents of a woman who was stamped to death by her lover for calling him 'Honey Bunny' have said he should be put to death.

Nancy and Jimmy Mack said the death penalty should be brought back for 38-year-old Douglas Stockdale, who murdered their daughter Alison, 51, in a brutal attack at a flat in Sleigh Drive, Lochend, in March this year.

Mr Mack, 80, told The News: "If you take someone's life your own life should be forfeit." The fatal attack happened after Stockdale had previously tried to kill three ex-girlfriends.

Stockdale was yesterday convicted of murder, three attempted murders and two assaults after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Lord Bracadale told Stockdale: "The jury has found you guilty of a number of offences, in particular a savage kicking and stamping attack on Alison Mack.

"You left her dead or dying in a hallway without attempting to get help for her. It is clear that when you lose your temper, you are a dangerous man."

Lord Bracadale deferred sentencing until January 8 for reports.

Alison's family believe he should pay the ultimate price.

Mum Nancy, 77, said: "I hate him for what he's done.

"Why did he need to kill her? She was such a kind, caring and helpful person who would never do anyone a bad turn."

The couple said they missed their daughter, a former pupil of Leith Walk Primary and Naughton Park Secondary School. Alison, who lived in Lochend, had been a proud Hibs fan since she was a girl. Mr Mack said: "I used to take her to the matches when she was a little girl and her brother Andrew was just a babe-in-arms."

Alison's elderly parents met Stockdale about five times during her brief relationship with the killer. They described him as "pleasant".

Mr Mack added: "He promised to 'take care of her' - which I suppose he did in a manner of speaking. He said no-one would hurt her while he was around, but who would have known he was hurting her all that time.

"They were round the night she was killed and they were all smiles.

"She seemed really happy so God knows what happened between the time she left our house and the time she was killed. We knew absolutely nothing about his violent history until the trial."

The court heard how Stockdale beat and tried to strangle his first victim, 33-year-old Afka Ray, who he dated for around three years.

Around July last year, he began seeing Tracy Grady, 33, and she fell pregnant with his child.

Despite this, Stockdale left her badly injured after several beatings.

He then met Alison and her friend Jennifer Thomson at a New Year party.

He had sex with Jennifer that night and they dated for a few weeks.

But, during that time, the 53-year-old was also attacked at her home in Sleigh Drive.

Stockdale eventually switched his attentions to Alison. She too felt the force of his violent temper and she suffered her first beating on February 1.

On March 8 - the day of the murder - Stockdale went with Alison to Jennifer's flat.

He later flipped when Alison called him "Honey Bunny". He said only his ex, Tracy Grady could call him that.

Miss Thomson told the court: "Douglas started hitting her and she started hitting him back. He hit her with his fists and her head hit the wall. He hit her on the face."

She said she was frightened and went to her bedroom.

She said: "I heard Alison shouting, 'Please, I'm sorry. I won't do it again.' Then I heard a banging noise - more than one banging noise.

"I shouted, 'If you two are going to fight then leave. My bedroom door burst open and Douglas jumped on the bed and started punching me.

"He said, 'Don't you dare move or else you'll be getting what she got'."

Jennifer got up the next morning and found Alison lying dead in the hallway.

Alison leaves behind two daughters Angela, 24, and Lynnette, 21, plus three grandchildren.

Police today welcomed the verdict and praised their officers' hard work and thorough enquiries.

A spokesman said: "The grave nature of the charges against Douglas Stockdale show him to be a particularly dangerous individual, and we are delighted with the jury's decision to find him guilty on all counts."