Violent offender Christopher Brown jailed for life for murder of Henry White in Fife

A violent offender has been jailed for life with at least 13 years behind bars over the murder of a man in Fife.

Christopher Brown, 36, pounced on Henry White, 57, in a fatal assault which saw the victim knocked unconscious three times.

A court heard how Brown repeatedly hit Mr White with his elbow. He also punched and kneed him before dragging his unconscious victim outside and abandoning him.

Mr White suffered multiple rib fractures, a collapsed lung and other injuries in the murderous attack at a house in Oakley’s Erskine Wynd in March 2023.

Advocate depute Michelle Brannagan told Brown’s trial: “Henry White was knocked unconscious not once, not twice but on three separate occasions that night.”

Jurors were told the incident occurred at the home of Brown’s then girlfriend.

Mr White was enjoying a drink with the woman when Brown returned from having a bath and grabbed his victim, claiming the pair had been talking about him.

The woman said Brown elbowed Mr White “pretty hard” on the face, knocking him unconscious.

When he came to, the woman said she asked him to go home. However, the situation deteriorated with Brown launching his fatal attack.

Brown had denied murder, but was last month found guilty following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

He was handed a life sentence with at least 13 years in jail by judge Lady Hood at the High Court in Inverness on Thursday.

Lady Hood highlighted victim impact statements prepared by Mr White’s family.

The judge said: “They speak movingly of their grief at the passing of a much-loved husband, brother and stepdad, his kindness and gentleness, and the milestones that he will now miss.

“Their lives will not be the same without him, and no sentence which I impose will be enough to help Henry White’s family with their loss.”

Brown was said to have a lengthy criminal record, including previous convictions for assault.

Lady Hood noted Brown had only been released from a period on remand two months before the murder.

The judge accepted he had attempted to accept responsibility for Mr White’s death by tendering a plea of guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide, but that was rejected by the Crown.

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Lady Hood added: “You told the author of the (background) report that you did not intentionally murder Henry White.

“Whilst the report’s author thought that you showed some remorse, you did not link your own behaviour to the death of someone you considered a friend.

“Your conviction for this offence represents a significant increase in already serious offending behaviour.

“The author of the report assessed that, until you address your offending behaviour, and the impact of your alcohol misuse, and receive long-term support for your mental health, you will continue to pose a direct risk to others.”

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Kieran Marsh said: “Brown will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.

“I hope today’s result brings some comfort to Henry’s family and friends who have shown great strength throughout this investigation and trial.

“Our thoughts remain with them as they continue to come to terms with what happened to him.”