A KILLER whose terrified torture victim jumped 120ft to his death was caged for just eight years today – after a judge said he had shown “high levels of remorse”.
Jamie Forbes, 37, had been repeatedly battered with a hammer by brutal Lee Smith, 35, during two days of violence in a 12th-floor high-rise flat.
Hours before he plunged, cops were alerted to his screams for help and he was spotted bloodied at a window by neighbours.
But despite being told the noise was coming from floors 10 to 16, officers did not check above the eighth floor before leaving.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Smith abducted Mr Forbes and held him against his will at his flat in Elphinstone Court, Aberdeen, on January 14 and January 15 2024.
It was said to be over a £40 debt.
The court heard how Smith repeatedly struck his victim with a hammer and punched and kicked him during the assault.
Judge Lady Hood heard how the abuse inflicted on Mr Forbes was so bad that he had no other option but to jump out the window.
Today, Lady Hood said: “I’ve seen a victim impact statement which has been provided to the court by Mr Forbes’s sister.
“She has explained movingly how loved Mr Forbes was and how she found it difficult to find the words needed to convey how much their lives have been torn apart by the loss of their loved one.
“No sentence I can impose can possibly address the pain and suffering that she has felt.”
Smith was represented yesterday by Brian McConnachie KC.
The advocate said: “He is under no doubt that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
“There is genuine remorse and insight into his actions on his part.”
Lady Hood said the sentence imposed on Smith reflected the fact that he took “full responsibility” for his actions.
She added: “You appear to show full insight and high levels of remorse for your actions.”
We previously revealed how cops were being probed over their response to the initial incident.
The victim’s sister Lindsay Forbes told us: “If the police did their job Jamie would have been saved. I am totally shocked.”
