A HOCKEY star murdered his lover to stop her telling his wife about their affair – then put her body in a sports bag to dispose of her corpse.

Maniac Craig Walker, 41, lured Lauren Wilson, 34, to his flat using a fake cancer appointment as bait before launching into a frenzied bloodbath attack in Renfrew last May.

Lauren had earlier messaged Walker’s wife Seonid – who suspected he was seeing the victim – as the couple were planning a reconciliation.

Walker also said that he lied to Lauren about having cancer in an attempt to "push her away."

He stabbed her 29 times before wrapping her body in sheets and putting her in a bag ready for disposal.

He then sent texts from her phone pretending she was still alive before telling Seonid, 38, needed to clean a "large coffee stain" from his carpet.

Walker then celebrated his wedding anniversary that evening with his wife at the marital home while Lauren lay dead in his rented flat.

Cops searching for her threatened to force Walker’s door the next morning before he let them into his flat and admitted Lauren was in the bag.

Air traffic controller Walker had denied murder but was found guilty today at the High Court in Glasgow.

He played hockey for Scotland as well as "briefly" for Team GB.

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The jury took less than an hour to find Walker guilty of murder. The verdict was unanimous.

Family members said "yes" and "thank you God" as the verdicts were announced. 

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years before he can be considered for parole. 

Lauren’s Mum Pauline Wilson shouted "rot in hell you evil monster" as he was led from the dock.

Judge Lady Stacey said: "You murdered an innocent young woman who was in a relationship with you – she must have trusted you.

"These actions are disgraceful.

"No one can know the pain and anguish and perhaps terror you inflicted on her.

"Lauren Wilson was a much-loved daughter, step daughter, sister and mother who had a group of loyal friends.

"Nothing I can say or do can take away the grief these people feel and always will feel.

"The consequences of what you did are devastating for her family and young daughter.

"Their grief is overwhelming…you have deprived the child her mother's love and guidance.

"She is old enough to have memories of her mother but much too young to understand what has happened.

"Her family now have the responsibility of bringing up the child and shield her from what happened while being honest with her as well as grieve themselves."

The court heard from Lauren's mum Pauline, 61, who stated that she became "frightened" after she did not pick up her daughter on the day of her death.

Pauline told jurors that Lauren had said to her that she was going to a hospital appointment with Walker.

She added that Lauren had told her she has "something important" to say to her which was "nothing to worry about."

Pauline said: "I knew it was important as she wouldn't leave her daughter without arrangements like a packed lunch or uniform.

"It was totally out of character – I was worried and getting distressed."

A selection of text messages between the pair were read to the court.

In one, Lauren said: "It's okay mum, I'm not doing anything stupid or making an idiot of myself, I just really need your support at this moment."

Another read: "I have lied to you, I'm sorry, I'm not at hospital at all, I just need some time alone to work things out, I will be back to get her."

Prosecutor David Dickson asked Pauline if she had concerns about these texts.

She replied: "Yes, it was just totally out of character for Lauren – I was frightened – it was just not something she would do – she would never leave her daughter ever."

Walker's wife Seonid told jurors that she married him in 2012.

They had split in 2020 but discussed reconciling and were due to go out for an anniversary meal on the night of the murder.

But Seonid recalled that month getting a friend request on Facebook from Lauren.

The witness thought this "strange". She quizzed her husband about her and he claimed to have known Lauren "from years ago".

Seonid had also seen a text from Lauren sent to Walker.

Mr Dickson asked Shona: "Did he say that he was in a relationship with her?"

She replied: "No, he denied it every time."

The anniversary dinner was scuppered when the air traffic controller said he had been delayed cleaning a large "coffee stain" on his carpet.

He instead later brought back a takeaway meal – but left Seonid's home without eating anything.

Walker claimed in his evidence that that Lauren had a knife which he tried to get off of her.

Mr Dickson suggested that Walker had formed a "rouse or a lie" days before the day of Lauren's death in order to get her to his flat which he denied.

Mr Dickson said: "She was going to tell your wife that you were together for longer than your wife knew."

Walker replied: "That's incorrect."

The advocate depute asked why Walker lied about having cancer.

He replied: "This was a Machiavellian act to push Lauren away."

A police officer told jurors how he discovered Lauren’s body during an initial missing person hunt.

PC Stuart McDougall told how he carried out a search of Walker’s flat after finally being allowed access by the killer.

Walker was described as “agitated and hesitant”.

PC McDougall recalled seeing a “figure” in a hockey bag in a bedroom.

The officer: “I asked Mr Walker what this was and he said: ‘That’s her’.

“He said: ‘She is in the bag’. I placed him in cuffs immediately.

“He stated that he was not resisting.”

The court heard Lauren’s mutilated body was wrapped in bedding and what appeared to be black electrical tape.

Paramedics arrived, but Lauren had already passed away.

Jurors were told a hoover, wipes as well as a mop and bucket were discovered in the bath as Walker tried to clean up what he had done.

Walker was also convicted of a separate charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Detective Inspector Fraser Spence, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “This was a brutal attack that has left Lauren’s family absolutely devastated and our thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time.

“While nothing can change what has happened, I hope that this conviction brings at least a degree of closure for her relatives and friends.

“This was a horrendous crime, which involved significant levels of violence committed by Craig Walker.

“He callously took Lauren’s life, showing complete disregard for her and her family.

“He will now have to face the consequences of his actions.

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“I would like to thank Lauren’s family, friends and those in the wider community who helped officers during this difficult enquiry.”

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