A MAN who murdered his 33-year-old partner by strangling her and then slashing her throat was yesterday jailed for life and ordered to spend at least 18 years behind bars.

Daryll Paterson, 36, carried out the brutal attack on former dental nurse Louise Aitchison at the home they shared on Park Terrace, East Kilbride, on April 28, last year.

The couple met while walking their dogs and began living together at her home in March 2019.

At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lady Stacey told Paterson: “You pleaded guilty to the murder of Louise Aitchison, a woman whom you had been living with as your partner. She was only 33 years of age.

“She had served the community here and overseas and had much to look forward to.

“She was entitled to look to you for love and support but you betrayed her trust and by your actions you took her life.

“You know that you killed Louise and now you will have to live with that knowledge for the rest of your life.”

Defence QC Donald Findlay told the court that Paterson had had a difficult childhood and his life was blighted by alcohol.

He added: “He really does not have a clear recollection of how this came to pass.

“He can remember having his hand on her throat, he can remember her having a knife. He can remember a fight and he can remember the aftermath.”

The court heard that on April 28, 2019, Louise phoned the police at 10.45pm and asked them to remove Paterson from her home. He left and said he would phone to collect his stuff.

At 1am on April 29, Paterson turned up at his friend Adam Ford’s house and told him: “I’ve done something really bad, I’m going to go away for a very long time. My life’s over.”

The next day Paterson confessed to his sister Khiya Paterson saying: “She’s gone. I’ve done something really bad.”

Louise, who was 4ft 11 and weighed just under nine stones, is survived by her mother, sister and brother.

She did voluntary work in India, aged 23, and then worked as a dental nurse for 15 years, before becoming a support worker.