A man has been sentenced to life in prison for stabbing his mother to death while he was high on drugs. Carol Ann Cameron, a cancer care nurse from Uphall in West Lothian, was killed by her son Callum in Perth, Australia. Callum, 31, was found guilty of murder and received a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 20 years.
The tragic incident occurred when Ms. Cameron called paramedics over concerns that her son had overdosed on the psychedelic drug DMT. Despite her efforts to seek help, Callum refused to get in the ambulance with the medical staff and proceeded to attack his mother with a knife in the kitchen. He inflicted 62 stab wounds on her face, neck, chest, back, arms, hips, and legs, leading to her tragic death.
During the trial, Callum admitted to manslaughter but denied intending to murder his mother, claiming he was in a state of delirium due to drugs. However, Judge Justice Joseph McGrath ruled that Callum was aware of his actions and intended to cause harm, leading to the murder conviction.
The court heard that Callum was remarkably calm after the brutal attack, with blood on his hands when the police arrived at the scene. Despite his legal team’s arguments that he had no memory of the incident and did not intend to harm his mother, Justice McGrath concluded that Callum had the capacity to form intent, even while intoxicated.
Ms. Cameron’s family released a statement expressing their devastation over the loss of their beloved mother, partner, sister, auntie, and friend. She was described as a much-loved nurse who had dedicated her career to cancer care and had lived in Australia since the 1970s.
The tragic case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of drug use and the importance of seeking help for substance abuse issues. It also highlights the impact of such senseless acts of violence on families and communities, leaving lasting scars and profound grief in their wake. The court’s decision to hold Callum accountable for his actions sends a strong message about the severity of such crimes and the need for justice to be served in cases of violence and murder.
