Depraved pair drugged, raped and murdered a stranger
- The father of three died after being spiked with Class C drug Etizolam
Two depraved killers drugged and raped a complete stranger who died after having his drinks spiked with powerful narcotics.
Father-of-three Calum Simpson, 24, did not regain consciousness after being intoxicated with the Class C drug Etizolam and alcohol. His youngest child was born 11 days earlier.
Dylan Brister, 27, and Cameron Allan, 21, were warned yesterday they face life sentences for the murder of Mr Simpson at Brister’s home in Methil, Fife.
The killers had been seeking a man to abuse before Mr Simpson appeared at their home with a mutual friend.
Graphic footage recovered from Allan’s phone was shown to a jury during the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, along with photographs of horrific injuries sustained by the dead man in the attack on him.
Cameron Allan (pictured) was one half of a gay couple convicted of raping and killing 24-year-old father of three Calum Simpson after spiking his drink with Etizolam
The trial judge, Lord Harrower, told jurors after they unanimously convicted the pair of the sexual assault, rape and murder: ‘The evidence has been of the most harrowing nature that this court has ever had the misfortune to listen to.’
He said that in light of the sensitive nature of the trial any juror would be entitled to use counselling services if required and excused them from further jury service for the rest of their lives.
The judge told Brister and Allan that there was only one sentence for murder, a life sentence, but he would adjourn for background reports on the pair until next month.
Advocate depute Angela Gray told jurors: ‘This is a plan between both accused to drug Calum Simpson to make sure he does not get up. They drugged him for their sexual gratification. That drugging was wickedly reckless to the consequences and in so doing they had a complete disregard for the safety and the life of Calum Simpson.’
She said the film was ‘a glimpse into the depravity’ and the dynamic between Brister and Allan.
During the footage Allan could be heard saying to his accomplice: ‘At least he is still breathing.’
The court heard that Allan and Brister had been seeking to recruit a man to make up a threesome with them but efforts to find a participant failed.
The High Court in Edinburgh where Dylan Brister, 27, and Cameron Allan, 21, were warned they face life sentences for the murder of Mr Simpson at Brister’s home in Methil, Fife
One man who met Allan at an inaugural Pride event in Dundee was told they would be ‘up for’ choking him and wanted to tie him up and abuse him but he chose not to become involved.
Ms Gray said: ‘And then Calum Simpson, a complete stranger, arrives by chance.’
Mr Simpson arrived at the house with a friend, Dylan Stewart, who knew the pair and later departed leaving him alone with them.
Ms Gray said: ‘There was no evidence that Calum Simpson had any homosexual tendencies.’
The pair denied murdering Mr Simpson by drugging him without his knowledge, resulting in him losing consciousness and failing to give or get medical help for the victim.
The predatory pair were also convicted of sexually assaulting and raping their victim after he was unconscious. The victim’s wrists were bound with rope during the attack.
Brister, who received almost £1,200 a month in benefits, had won more than £20,000 gambling and bought 1,000 tablets for £200.
He claimed that he believed they were genuine diazepam which came in proper packaging and a pharmacy carrier bag.
But Allan, who said he was at the drugs handover, said it was strips of drugs in a freezer bag and they came with a warning.
He said the woman supplying them warned Brister they were strong and added: ‘That’s why she gave the warning, someone had already died from taking them.’
Forensic evidence indicated that glasses, including a champagne style flute and skull shotglass, were spiked with Etizolam before the victim drank from them.
An experienced medical examiner who saw the injuries inflicted on Mr Simpson told the court: ‘If the person was awake and fully conscious it would be very painful.’
The court heard evidence that Brister had previously spiked the drink of a woman with diazepam in 2018 and put tablets in the mouth of another without her consent.
Brister told the court he suffered from complex post traumatic stress disorder and a personality disorder and received anti-psychotic medication.
Brister said: ‘We raped him and continued to have sex. It is what it is, disgusting. It should never have happened. I am not going to make excuses,’ he said.
Allan told police that he had ‘bad sex thoughts’ because he what happened to him when he was younger and added: ‘This is the first time I have acted on those thoughts.’
Allan said he was in love with Brister but claimed the older man ill-treated him. He said: ‘I was treated more like a dog than a servant. He was just a violent, angry man.’
Allan, who was on bail, was remanded in custody following the verdicts. Brister was already in prison awaiting trial. The pair were told they will be on the sex offenders’ register.
■ Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport
