A man has pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder after shocking CCTV footage captured him fatally stabbing a 56-year-old man in broad daylight, moments after what appeared to be a friendly handshake.
William Lewis, 56, murdered William Copeland and then attacked the victim’s wheelchair-bound father, Thomas Copeland, 59, during a violent incident in Hamilton, Lanarkshire on October 21, 2024.
Appearing before the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, Lewis admitted to the charges. He will be sentenced in September, when the court will determine the minimum term of his prison sentence.
According to Prosecutor David Logan, the incident began earlier in the day when William Copeland, his father, and another man had a brief verbal altercation with Lewis. Later, near Hamilton’s Burnbank Centre, the two groups encountered each other again.
CCTV footage played in court showed the two men shaking hands and hugging, appearing to be on good terms. But within seconds, the situation turned deadly.
“Lewis, holding the knife in his left hand, stabbed William in the torso while grabbing hold of him,” Logan told the court.
The victim initially managed to stagger away, but Lewis chased him down, forcing him to the ground once more.
“Lewis stood over him and stabbed him several times to the torso, head, and neck as he lay on the ground,” the prosecutor added.
The court was told that eight stab wounds were found on William Copeland’s body. He died at the scene despite bystanders attempting CPR before emergency services arrived.
Lewis also turned his weapon on William’s father, Thomas, stabbing him in the chest and knocking him out of his wheelchair. He then casually walked away, concealing the knife in his pocket.
Thomas was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and survived, but the court heard the emotional and psychological trauma has been devastating. The elderly man witnessed the murder of his son at close range.
The court also heard that Lewis had a previous conviction for a major drug offence dating back to 2000. Lord Colbeck ordered that Lewis remain in custody as the court awaits further reports ahead of sentencing.
Following the hearing, Aggie Smith, sister of the deceased, expressed the family's heartbreak.
“William would always be there for us. There are no words to describe how difficult this is. It really is soul-destroying,” she said tearfully.
“He would go out and play football with his nephews. William treated them as his own.”
The case has shocked the local community, with many calling for stronger efforts to address knife crime and provide support to victims' families.
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