A KILLER murdered a stranger in a Lockerbie pub toilet — then returned to his pint.
Stefan McCormack, 33, of Lockerbie, punched, kicked and stamped on Rafal Sieja in the town’s Black Bull bar in Lockerbie July 5, 2019.
McCormack had earlier been told by a friend that Mr Sieja, also 33, was suspected of a crime in the local area.
Seconds after the beating, CCTV captured the thug coming back to his friends, casually having a drink of his lager, then leaving the pub.
It was around 30 minutes before the victim was found stricken in the toilet.
Mr Sieja – originally from Poland – died three weeks later in hospital.
McCormack had denied the killing insisting he only shoved Mr Sieja when he was aggressive to him.
But, jurors heard how the ex-builder had confessed to a friend: “Oh, s***, I must have done him right in.”
McCormack was yesterday convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
He faces a life sentence when he returns to the dock next month.
McCormack did not know Mr Sieja, but had seen his friend talking to him that night.
McCormack later asked who Mr Sieja was before being told by his friend that the man had been “accused” of an offence.
McCormack went on to quiz bar staff why the victim – nicknamed Jedi – was being served.
The killer was later spotted going to the toilet. Mr Sieja went in soon after.
It was there McCormack battered Mr Sieja leaving him helpless on the ground.
McCormack’s friend gave evidence during the trial and was shown CCTV of his friend returning from the toilet.
Asked what it showed, the witness said: “He came to the bar, picked up his pint, had a swig, put it down and then left.”
McCormack phoned his friend to check on Mr Sieja.
But, it was later before the alarm was raised and the victim was rushed to hospital. He was initially in a coma, but passed away on July 27 from a serious head injury.
The trial was told McCormack had confronted Mr Sieja about the alleged crime, gave him a “couple of slaps” then “lost it”.
He was also said to have later told his mum that he had “hit the boy a few times”.
But, in court, he told his QC Thomas Ross, Mr Sieja had been aggressive to him and he had pushed him to get out the toilet.
However, prosecutor Michael Meehan QC later put to McCormack: “You knew that you had inflicted serious injury and left Jedi unconscious on the floor of the cubicle.”
McCormack denied the claim and Lord Fairley remanded him in custody pending sentencing next month.
