Social Media Posts Spark Anger
Margaret McCallum believed she had left behind the trauma caused by Ben McCulloch, the man convicted of killing her brother, when he was sentenced to prison four years ago.
However, she recently discovered a series of images and videos on social media showing McCulloch partying shirtless inside his prison cell.
The initial photo Margaret encountered depicted McCulloch alongside another convicted killer inside HMP Shotts, captioned: "They're deed and we're no hahah".
"It's so disheartening," Margaret told the BBC. "You think he's behind us now, we don't need to deal with him anymore. And there he is, bold as brass, in our faces.
"How can you keep coming into our life? We're trying to move on from a massive trauma that you've dealt to our family, and now you're bragging about it.
"That's what it feels like to us. That he's bragging about how easy his time is. Our time isn't easy. Every single day is difficult."
Details of the Crime
Ben McCulloch stabbed Margaret's younger brother, 26-year-old Stephen Quigley, in Barrhead in March 2021.
The two were close friends and had spent time together prior to the fatal incident.
After the attack, McCulloch left Stephen outside a hospital day unit late at night when no one was available to assist him. Stephen attempted to walk to the emergency department but was found deceased by a staff member the following morning.
"We had to go and identify the body," Margaret said. "He had nothing on him, no keys, no phone, no wallet, nothing. He was just a body.
"Ben himself was up at the hospital a few hours later – the same hospital, a stone's throw away, he could have said something."
Illegal Mobile Phone Use in Prison
BBC Scotland recently reported that McCulloch was among several prisoners at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian who have been illegally using mobile phones to record themselves celebrating and apparently consuming drugs. HMP Addiewell is a maximum security prison.
One TikTok clip shows a prisoner stating: "Who said life in jail was hard?"
The story was initially reported by the Daily Record newspaper.
Mobile phones are prohibited in prisons, and their use can result in disciplinary measures or criminal prosecution.
A prison official previously informed BBC Scotland News that an iPhone can be valued at £5,000 within prison walls.
Addiewell is Scotland's only privately operated prison, housing just under 800 inmates, including convicted adult males and those on remand.
The operator, Sodexo Justice, states on its website that it aims to "change lives for the better by operating safe, decent and secure prisons."
Sentencing and Future Concerns
McCulloch was initially charged with the murder of Stephen Quigley but pleaded guilty to culpable homicide to avoid a trial.
He received a sentence of nine and a half years.
Margaret expressed that her family endures a "lifetime sentence" of grief caused by a man who had spent time in her mother's home.
BBC Scotland News understands McCulloch has been convicted of additional offences related to the illegal use of a mobile phone; however, these will not extend his incarceration period.
This is due to the fact that prisoners often serve multiple sentences concurrently, although sometimes judges impose consecutive sentences to be served after the main term.
Margaret doubts McCulloch will reform after release and believes he will "no doubt end up back inside." She supports proposals for legislation criminalising messages sent from prison that cause distress to victims' families.
"I just want his time inside to actually mean something," she said. "When he comes out, what sort of rehabilitation has he had?
"You're meant to be readjusting this man's way of thinking so that when he comes out he's able to join his community again."
Prison Authorities Respond
A spokesperson for HMP Addiewell stated the prison takes such matters "extremely seriously" and that any prisoner found with illegal items is promptly reported to the appropriate authorities.
They added: "We constantly review our practices and deploy a range of tactics to prevent such items from being introduced."
The Scottish Prison Service acknowledged that the videos caused "significant distress" to families.
A spokesperson said: "Our staff work hard to keep prisons safe and secure, using all available technology and intelligence to prevent illicit items, including mobile phones, entering our establishments.
"While we do not comment on individuals, we continue to work with Police Scotland, and other partners, to take action against those who attempt to breach our security."
A Scottish government spokesperson noted that the illegal use of mobile phones is an operational issue for the Scottish Prison Service.
They stated: "In 2026-2027 we are investing just over £1bn in our prisons to support frontline staff and progress improvements in the prison estate."
