A man accused of murdering Paisley retailer Javaid Ali has been found guilty.

Despite there being no DNA evidence linking Lee Anderson to the scene, he was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The incident took place on June 15, 2012 at Javaid’s Sunshine Grocers store in Paisley. According to the prosecution, Anderson attempted to steal alcohol from the store and when approached, stabbed Javaid in the carotid artery causing massive blood loss. Javaid managed to dial 999 and was rushed to hospital but suffered irreparable brain damage and died on June 29.

Anderson had pleaded not guilty but the jury heard that he confessed to the crime to his mother and brother and a witness placed him at the store at the time of the incident.

Throughout the trial, witnesses described how Javaid was a hard-working man who knew all his customers, while other witnesses said he sold cannabis from a van outside of his store.

Police Scotland Detective Chief Inspector Duncan Sloan said: “It is hard to imagine what Mr Ali’s family have had to endure since his untimely death and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all the assistance they gave us during the investigation.

“I sincerely hope that today’s verdict can go some way to help them to rebuild their lives.”