Serial criminal admits killing woman in street attack

A serial criminal has admitted killing a woman in a street attack in Glasgow.

James Paita stabbed 40-year-old Sandie Butler, from Perthshire, in the chest during the attack in the city's Townhead area on 29 October 2024.

The 42-year-old then fled the scene and left onlookers to call for help, but the mother-of-three never recovered.

Paita had been due to stand trial for murder at the High Court in Glasgow, but he instead pled guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

It emerged Paita already had a string of convictions including for violence, weapons, disorder, drugs and breaching bail.

Judge Lady Anwar told Paita: "You are no stranger to the courts. You have pled guilty to a very serious offence and are facing a significant custodial sentence.

"You will continue to be remanded meantime."

He is due to be sentenced next month.

Sandie Butler had been living with her partner of 18 months in Townhead, and met Paita just two weeks before the attack.

He had later been in contact with the victim's partner.

Prosecutor Kath Harper KC said an arrangement was made to meet near where they lived on the day of the attack.

The couple met with Paita's former co-accused James McCrindle and another man before the killer joined them.

Harper said what was described as a "fight" between the victim and McCrindle eventually broke out.

Butler's partner and Paita then got into a confrontation and both men were said to be armed with a knife.

The advocate depute said: "After a minute or so, the four parties regrouped at their initial meeting point and appeared to continue to fight.

"It is unclear from CCTV footage exactly what was happening, but Sandie Butler and Paita can be seen moving together.

"Paita is seen to strike in her direction before moving away followed by McCrindle."

The victim managed to walk towards parked cars before stumbling and slumping to the ground.

The court heard, in brief footage captured by nearby students, that her partner was seen clutching a blade and standing over herr next to another man.

Her partner was then caught "rifling" through her pockets and handbag before handing items to the man and fleeing the scene.

It was this other man and one of the students who dialled 999.

Police and paramedics arrived, but Butler died in the ambulance. She was found to have suffered a stab wound to the chest.

It was concluded the attacker would have had to use a "severe degree of force" to inflict the fatal injury.

Paita was held at his partner's home on 7 November 2024.

McCrindle had also faced the murder charge, but his not guilty plea was accepted by prosecutors.