Gary Lamont tells of his heartbreak over the knife death of friend

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By Marion Scott | 29 Jan 2012 00:00

Scots actor Gary Lamont tells of his heartbreak over the knife death of friend

EXCLUSIVE: RIVER City star Gary Lamont has revealed his heartbreak after a childhood friend was killed in a knife attack.

RIVER City star Gary Lamont has revealed his heartbreak after a childhood friend was killed in a knife attack.

Gary, 26, who plays River City hairdresser Robbie Fraser, said his friend PJ Douglass was like a brother.

The actor said: “We grew up together. We spent holidays and Christmases together – his mum was like my mum.

“I can’t come to terms with the fact PJ won’t achieve his dreams, he won’t live out his life and I won’t see him again.”

PJ, 20, from East Kilbride, was killed after being stabbed during a row with a friend’s neighbour on April 29, the day of the Royal Wedding.

John Steele, 33, who had previous convictions for drugs, offensive weapons and violence, walked free from the High Court in Glasgow days before Christmas after being found not guilty of PJ’s murder and claiming self-defence.

Senior advocate depute Jennifer Bain told the court Steele had attacked PJ after a fracas in the entry outside his home.
Gary said: “When I heard the verdict, I was stunned. PJ was like my little brother. Our mothers are best friends. We were one big happy family together.

“You read about knife crime all the time but, when it happens to someone you know, it’s surreal. I don’t think I’ll ever come to terms with this.

“PJ was so proud of me becoming an actor and I was so proud of his achievements.

“The hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life was stand up at his funeral and say my goodbyes. I called on all my training as an actor but, even then, my heart was breaking inside.

“I can only hope PJ’s death will show other kids what can happen, how dangerous knives are.

“When you’re young, you think you are invincible and nothing can touch you. But look at PJ and all the broken hearts he leaves behind.”

Gary and PJ were both members of the Jeely Piece Club in Castlemilk, Glasgow. The organisation was set up by ordinary mums 36 years ago to keep kids safe, giving them somewhere to go in one of the toughest housing schemes in Scotland.

Over two decades, PJ’s mum Maureen, 53, and Gary’s mum Grace, also 53, reached out to thousands of kids.

Gary said: “We were all proud to be Jeely Piece kids. Maureen helped so many kids.”

When he was just 16, PJ was such a promising chef that he was picked to cook for JK Rowling and former First Minister Jack McConnell.

Maureen said: “That was one of the proudest moments of his life.”
Hundreds joined Maureen on a march against knife crime after PJ became the 14th person to die in a year in South Lanarkshire as the mum-of-two struggled through her own grief to appeal for no further violence.

She said: “I was very aware PJ’s friends and the community as a whole were deeply upset by what had happened.

“If other kids can learn about the dangers of knife crime by hearing what happened to PJ, that’s the legacy I want for him.”

Maureen and other concerned parents have started an organisation called Communities United to Promoting Inclusion in East Kilbride.

She is determined to petition the Lord Advocate and the Justice Secretary to consider culpable homicide charges against Steele, who admitted delivering wraps of heroin just before PJ was killed.

Maureen said: “Witness after witness told the court Steele stabbed PJ with a sword. I want him taken back to court and tried for culpable homicide.”