A man with an extensive criminal history has admitted to killing a woman during a violent street encounter in Glasgow. According to BBC News, James Paita stabbed 40-year-old Sandie Butler from Perthshire in the chest on 29 October 2024 in the Townhead area. Butler, a mother of three, was discovered with serious injuries and died shortly afterwards.
Paita, aged 42, initially faced a murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow but entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of culpable homicide. The Scottish Sun reported that Paita pleaded guilty on 11 November 2026, with the court deferring sentencing while reports are prepared. He remains in custody pending sentencing next month.
Paita's criminal record spans multiple convictions for violence, weapons offences, disorder, drug-related crimes and breaching bail conditions. During his court appearance, Judge Lady Anwar stated:
You are no stranger to the courts. You have pled guilty to a very serious offence and are facing a significant custodial sentence. You will continue to be remanded meantime.
How did the attack unfold?
Butler had been living with her partner for 18 months in the Townhead area and had met Paita just two weeks before the fatal encounter. Her partner made contact with Paita, and an arrangement was made to meet near their home on the day of the attack.
The group that gathered included Butler's partner, Paita, his former co-accused James McCrindle and another man. Prosecutor Kath Harper KC described how a confrontation initially broke out between Butler and McCrindle. Butler's partner and Paita then became involved in their own altercation, with both men armed with knives.
Harper explained:
After a minute or so, the four parties regrouped at their initial meeting point and appeared to continue to fight. It is unclear from CCTV footage exactly what was happening, but Sandie Butler and Paita can be seen moving together. Paita is seen to strike in her direction before moving away followed by McCrindle.
Butler managed to walk towards parked cars before stumbling and collapsing to the ground. Footage captured by nearby students showed her partner holding a blade and standing over her alongside another man. Her partner was then observed searching through her pockets and handbag before handing items to the man and leaving the scene.
The other man and one of the students called emergency services. Police and paramedics arrived, but Butler died in the ambulance. Medical examination revealed a stab wound to the chest. According to STV News, the fatal wound required a severe degree of force to inflict.
What was Paita's background?
Paita fled the scene immediately after the attack, leaving onlookers to summon help. He was apprehended at his partner's home on 7 November 2024. His extensive prior convictions made this case particularly serious in the eyes of the court, with Judge Lady Anwar emphasising his repeated contact with the criminal justice system.
What happened to the other accused?
James McCrindle, Paita's former co-accused, also initially faced a murder charge. However, prosecutors accepted his not guilty plea, bringing his prosecution to an end. This decision meant that Paita alone proceeded to trial and ultimately entered his guilty plea to culpable homicide.
What happens next?
Paita remains remanded in custody while reports are prepared ahead of his sentencing hearing scheduled for next month. The court will consider these reports, along with his extensive criminal history and the severity of the offence, when determining his sentence.
