Maniac bailed for savage street attack before going on to kill Scots dad-of-two

Scottish Sun

13-06-2025

Stephen Kelly was jailed for attacking a dad in the street a month after receiving a life sentence
FREED TO KILL Maniac bailed for savage street attack before going on to kill Scots dad-of-two
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A MANIAC who murdered his 'best pal' and poured bleach down his throat was given extra jail time - for a savage street attack months before the killing.
Brute Stephen Kelly and accomplices beat up and stabbed their victim with a metal pole in May 2023.
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Stephen Kelly refused to come out of his cell to attend court for sentencing after already being jailed for murder
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Chris McMahon was stabbed and bludgeoned to death by Stephen Kelly
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Kelly claimed to the court he killed pal Chris after he made derogatory comments about his dying dad
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Stephen Kelly was jailed for 18 months by a Sheriff at Airdrie Sheriff Court
Credit: Andrew Barr
Astonishingly, he was bailed for that attack and went on to murder Chris McMahon in October the same year.
Today Chris' heartbroken family blasted the decision set the thug free to kill as 'disgusting'.
Sister Kirsty, 41, said: 'He should never have been let out. I can't help but think if he hadn't been let out Chris might still be here. He's just a violent, evil maniac and the fact that this first victim guy wasn't killed as well is just pure luck.'
Five months before murdering dad-of-two Chris, Kelly and three other thugs savagely assaulted Ben Crawley knocking him unconscious, kicking, punching him in the head and body before stabbing him with a piece of metal as he lay helpless.
Kelly was due to join John Gault, 25, Alexander Sirrell, 34, and Shaun Thorpe, 28, in the dock at Airdrie Sheriff Court today for the assault on Mr Crawley.
However his lawyer told the court he had refused to come out of his cell at HMP Addiewell having 'rarely left it' since he was banged up for life for Chris' murder.
Sheriff Derek Livingston agreed to sentence him in his absence, retorting: 'He will have plenty of opportunity to leave his cell in the next 22 years.'
All four thugs had previously admitted to attacking Mr Crawley to his severe injury on May 25, 2023.
Sirrell also admitted chasing the victim's stepson Ayden McVey and striking him on the body with the piece of metal.
Kevin Morrow, prosecuting, told the court the victim had gone into Carluke town centre between 8pm and 9pm after receiving a phone call informing him that his stepson 'might be in some trouble'.
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Mr Morrow told the court: 'He was knocked to the ground and Gault, Thorpe and Kelly then inflicted numerous kicks to his head and body whereby he was rendered unconscious.'
The victim attended hospital where an x-ray revealed a fractured jaw which left him on a 'soft' diet for a period of time and he was he felt he had to move away.
Sheriff Derek Livingston jailed Kelly for 18 months to run alongside his life sentence.
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Kelly, 29, was jailed for 22 years earlier this month for stabbing his lifelong pal Chris McMahon
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Chris McMahon's mum Margaret and sister Kirsty say their family has been left devastated by his murder
Credit: Les Gallagher
During his murder trial Kelly claimed he had 'reacted' and killed Chris after he made 'derogatory comments' about his dying dad.
However Chris's sister Kirsty said the fact he was on bail for the savage street attack proves he was 'lying'.
She added: 'It was all lies. We knew that and this just proves it. Knowing that just five months before he killed Chris he kicked and beat this man flies in the face if his claims he just snapped in the moment.'
Sirrell, of Ruchazie, Glasgow, was caged for 18 months for the attack on Mr Crawley, despite the court hearing he had a 'deeply troubled upbringing'.
Sheriff Livingston said: 'This is the umpteenth time you have used a weapon and I'm not having that.'
Gault, of Carluke, was put under supervision for two years and must do 180 hours of unpaid work, while Thorpe, of Hamilton, was electronically tagged for six months and ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.
Evil Kelly was jailed for life last month for Chris's murder, with a minimum of 22 years.
Kilmarnock High Court heard he told police 'I do not regret it one bit' after repeatedly stabbing dad-of-two Chris McMahon with an 18-inch hunting knife in the neck and chest, before smashing him in the head with a glass bottle and pouring bleach into his mouth.
Kelly, who had fled the scene, was found the following day and told police: 'I will do the 25 years.
'I do not regret it one bit. I put bleach in his mouth and everything when he was dead.'
Chris' family spoke exclusively to The Scottish Sun, blasting Kelly as a 'cold-blooded coward'.
Mum Margaret, 69, told the Scottish Sun: 'He'd come to our house all the time. He was always here having his dinner as a wee boy.
'When I was told Chris was dead and Stephen did it, I could not take it in. It's unbelievable.'
Brother John, 37, said: 'He's nothing but a coward and a cold-blooded killer.'Judge Lady Hood told Kelly: 'You showed no remorse. His family's lives have been ripped apart.'