A MAN has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years after being found guilty of the murder of Colin Armstrong in Macmerry last year, following a trial at Edinburgh High Court.

James Caven, 38, was found guilty of killing Mr Armstrong in the early hours of October 7 last year.

Mr Armstrong was found dead at a property on Greenmill Brae after having been stabbed numerous times.

Caven denied his involvement, but detectives from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team carried out significant enquiry before arresting and charging him with murder.

Detective Sergeant Neil Seath, of Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, said: "Colin Armstrong gave his friendship to James Caven, only to be repaid with incidents of escalating violence leading ultimately to a vicious, sustained and murderous knife assault.

"Caven, rather than providing an explanation which may have given Colin's family some level of understanding, chose to try and shift the blame onto others resulting in extensive enquiries having to be made to eliminate innocent individuals.

"His conviction is welcomed and a testimony to the hard work of the officers involve in this investigation.

"My thoughts are with Colin's family and I pay tribute to them for the dignity and strength shown throughout this tragedy and I sincerely hope this brings some form of closure for them."