Nearly two decades after Dean Jamieson’s brutal murder, his mother Jo raises urgent concerns over the early release of one of his killers, Shaun Paton, warning of the risks he poses to society and highlighting perceived failings in the justice system’s support for victims.
The murder of Dean Jamieson, a 30-year-old father-of-four, in April 2006, remains a dark chapter in the history of Glasgow’s crime landscape nearly two decades later. The case drew national attention due to the shocking brutality of the attack and the subsequent trial, which exposed the harsh realities of youth violence. As the public waits for a new true crime documentary set to explore the case further, Dean’s mother, Jo Jamieson, has raised concerns about the potential for further violence from one of Dean’s killers, Shaun Paton.
Dean’s lifeless body was found in the foetal position near Craibstone Golf Course, and it quickly became clear that he had been brutally robbed, stripped, and left to die from hypothermia and blood loss. The court described the attack as one of “sadistic and sickening savagery.” Two men, Colin Cowie and Kevin Leslie, were convicted of murder, while Paton received a conviction for culpable homicide, a lesser charge that came with a significantly lighter sentence. Cowie and Leslie were sentenced to life imprisonment with minimum terms of 20 and 18 years, respectively, while Paton served only six years before his release.
This troubling leniency has prompted renewed fears from Jo Jamieson, now 69, who believes Paton poses a real danger to society. She recently told a local newspaper that her persistent fear is that he “will kill again.” Jo described Paton as a “liability,” claiming he exhibits a lack of emotional control, and his previous threats of violence towards a fairground worker support her concerns. Following a recent court appearance where he was fined for threatening behaviour, she expressed her frustration with the justice system, lamenting the lack of support provided to victims and their families versus the resources afforded to the perpetrators.
In recounting her harrowing experience, Jo explained the emotional turmoil that ensued in the aftermath of her son’s death. She struggled to secure necessary support for Dean’s then eight-year-old son, Liam, who faced distressing questions from schoolmates about his father’s death. In stark contrast, the three men convicted of murdering Dean had access to various forms of counselling and family support throughout their imprisonment. “It can feel like it pays to be a criminal,” Jo remarked, highlighting her anger towards what she sees as a flawed system prioritising the care of offenders over victims.
Former Detective Superintendent Alan Smith, who led the investigation into Dean’s murder, noted that the case exemplified a pattern of low-level criminality culminating in tragic violence, often exacerbated by peer dynamics. The local youths involved had histories of minor offences, and Smith asserted that the attackers were “council estate low-level nuisance criminals on the fringes of the drug scene.” Jo’s warning about today’s youth mirrors concerns observed by law enforcement—youths wielding knives and engaging in violent behaviour is increasingly normalised, raising alarms about future incidents.
Reflecting on the emotional toll of Dean’s death, Jo stated that it took her five years to process the anger and pain she felt. In her book, “Last Touch,” she chronicles the overwhelming grief and attempts to reclaim Dean’s memory from the confines of a crime scene narrative. Through her writing, she hoped to restore his identity beyond that tragic event, allowing both herself and her family to move forward. Jo returned annually to the site where Dean was found, a ritual steeped in grief and longing.
This poignant journey through a mother’s heartache serves as a backdrop for the emerging dialogue around crime, punishment, and community safety. With the upcoming documentary shedding light on the complexities of Dean’s case and the investigative challenges faced, it also brings forth the necessary questions regarding the effectiveness of the justice system in addressing both the victims and the potential for reoffending by released offenders. As Jo Jamieson continues her fight for justice and awareness, her words resonate a profound truth—that the ripple effects of crime extend far beyond the immediate, affecting families and communities for years to come.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6763937/freed-killer-of-murdered-dean-jamieson-dangerous/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/6191129.stm – In December 2006, BBC News reported that two men, Kevin Leslie (24) and Colin Cowie (22), were convicted of murdering Dean Jamieson, while a third, Shaun Paton (20), was found guilty of culpable homicide. The victim, a 30-year-old father-of-four, was robbed, stripped, and left to die near Aberdeen. The court described the attack as ‘sadistic and sickening savagery.’
- https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/6168436.stm – In November 2006, BBC News detailed the convictions of Kevin Leslie and Colin Cowie for the murder of Dean Jamieson, and Shaun Paton for culpable homicide. The victim, a 30-year-old father-of-four, was found near Aberdeen after being robbed, stripped, and left to die. The court described the attack as ‘sadistic and sickening savagery.’
- https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6735882/dean-jamieson-murder-investigation/ – A documentary focusing on the forensic investigation into the murder of Dean Jamieson is set to air on May 26, 2025. The program will examine key pieces of evidence found at the crime scene that played a pivotal role in solving the case. The murder occurred in April 2006, when Dean Jamieson, a 30-year-old father-of-four, was attacked and left to die near Aberdeen.
- https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12479270.jail-three-men-left-attack-victim-die-snow/ – In December 2006, The Herald reported that three men were found guilty of killing Dean Jamieson, a 30-year-old father-of-four. The victim was robbed, beaten, and stripped before being left to die in freezing conditions near Aberdeen. The court described the attack as a ‘frenzied and humiliating’ assault.
- https://archive.news.stv.tv/archive/1367824-mother-of-murder-victim-forgives-killers-ten-years-after-attack.html – In September 2016, STV News reported that Jo Jamieson, mother of murder victim Dean Jamieson, forgave her son’s killers ten years after the attack. She had written a book about her son’s murder, which she said ‘almost killed her.’ Dean Jamieson was a 30-year-old father-of-four who was killed in April 2006.
- https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/6176968.stm – In November 2006, BBC News reported on concerns regarding unlicensed taxis in Aberdeen following the murder of Dean Jamieson. The victim had been picked up by an unofficial taxi service before being attacked and left to die. Authorities urged passengers to use licensed taxis for safety.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on May 26, 2025. However, it references a forthcoming documentary about Dean Jamieson’s murder, scheduled to air on the same date, indicating that the content is timely and original. The Press and Journal is a reputable source, lending credibility to the report. No evidence suggests the content is recycled or republished from low-quality sites.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Jo Jamieson, Dean’s mother, expressing concerns about Shaun Paton’s potential for reoffending. These quotes appear to be original, as no earlier instances of identical wording were found. However, variations in phrasing across different sources suggest that the quotes may have been paraphrased in previous reports.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The Press and Journal is a reputable UK newspaper known for its comprehensive coverage of local news. The report is well-sourced, referencing previous articles from the same publication and other credible outlets like the BBC. No signs of fabrication or unverifiable entities are present.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative aligns with known facts about Dean Jamieson’s murder and the subsequent legal proceedings. Jo Jamie’s concerns about Shaun Paton’s potential for reoffending are consistent with her previous statements and the circumstances of his release. The upcoming documentary adds a timely dimension to the story, enhancing its credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The report is recent, well-sourced, and consistent with known facts. The inclusion of direct quotes from Jo Jamieson and references to a forthcoming documentary add originality and timeliness to the narrative. No significant issues with freshness, source reliability, or plausibility were identified.
