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

Christopher Brown, 36, lunged at Henry White, 57, in a fatal attack in which the victim was knocked unconscious three times.

A court heard how Brown hit Mr White repeatedly 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 during the deadly attack at a house on Erskine Wynd in Oakley in March 2023.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Brannagan said during Brown’s trial, “Henry White lost consciousness not once, not twice, but three times that night.”

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

Mr White was having a drink with the woman when Brown returned from the bath and grabbed his victim, claiming the two men were talking about him.

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

When he came to, the woman told him that she had asked him to go home. However, the situation deteriorated when Brown launched his fatal attack.

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

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with at least 13 years in prison on Thursday by Judge Lady Hood at the High Court in Inverness.

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

The judge said: “They speak movingly of their grief at the death of a beloved husband, brother and father-in-law, of his kindness and gentleness, and of the steps he will now be missing.

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

Brown reportedly has an extensive criminal record, including previous convictions for assault.

Lady Hood noted that Brown had only been released two months before the murder.

The judge accepted he had tried to accept responsibility for Mr White’s death by pleading guilty to the less serious charge of culpable homicide, but this was rejected by the Crown.

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

“Although the author of the report believes that you have shown remorse, you have not linked your own behavior to the death of someone you considered a friend.

“Your conviction for this offense represents a significant increase in already serious criminal conduct.

“The report’s author believes that until you address your offending behavior and the impact of your alcohol misuse, and receive long-term support for your mental health, you will continue to be at risk direct to others.”

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

“I hope that today’s outcome will bring 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.”