A MAN who murdered a vulnerable 47-year-old woman by strangling her was jailed for life.

Allan Docherty, of Kelburn Terrace, Port Glasgow, sobbed in the dock as he was sentenced to serve at least 18 years behind bars for the murder of Karen Young.

His co-accused Weir McKay, 44, of Marloch Avenue, Port Glasgow, was jailed for 14 years for the culpable homicide of Karen.

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She was killed on June 9, 2017, at Docherty's flat.

Both men continue to deny killing her. Docherty, 34, claimed during the trial that he had been trying to save Karen's life.

Karen, who had a number of personal issues, was strangled and hit on the head with a metal pole and hammer after being accused of stealing drugs from the flat.

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The main cause of death was neck injuries and her larynx was fractured.

Judge Lady Stacey told Docherty: “By your actions a family has been left bereaved. You took hold of Karen Young's neck and put your hand in her mouth. You thought she had taken a packet of controlled drugs which you wanted back.

“You saw you have to live with this, but you do not accept you carried out a murder. You went to trial saying you tried to help her.”

Defence QC Brian McConnachie, representing McKay, said his client had shown remorse but didn’t call the ambulance after Ms Young was attacked.

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He shouted out from the dock as he was sentenced: 'I got 14 years for not phoning an ambulance’.”