Man jailed 18 years for fatal stabbing outside Airdrie nightclub

Brandon McLachlan, 22, was sentenced to a minimum of 18 and a half years in prison for the murder of Jamie Lucas, 33, in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. The fatal stabbing occurred just before Christmas 2024 after a confrontation earlier in the night, where McLachlan was removed from a nightclub for his behavior and later threatened to retrieve a knife. McLachlan stabbed Lucas four times, including a fatal wound to the heart, as Lucas and his girlfriend were leaving the club. At the time of the attack, McLachlan was on bail for previous offenses, including an assault involving a knife. Despite McLachlan expressing remorse and acknowledging his immaturity, the judge highlighted his criminal history and the premeditated nature of the attack. Police and community leaders emphasized the severity and violence of the crime, noting that justice has been served and the community is safer without McLachlan.