A date has been set for a fatal accident inquiry into the death of a knife murderer who killed his victim during a street brawl.

Jamie Nicol was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years and three months in jail in March 2011 after being found guilty of murdering Stephen Johnston in the gang attack in Elgin.

Lord Uist revealed in court that Nicol had a "deplorable" criminal record with 25 previous convictions, including eight for assault.

The killer, who died aged 29, was found dead in his cell at high-security Shotts Prison, in Lanarkshire, in December 2014. It was reported at the time that Nicol's death was drug-related and there were no suspicious circumstances.

A fatal accident inquiry will be heard into Nicol's death at Hamilton Sheriff Court on March 3 this year. A preliminary hearing will be heard at the court on February 4.

Judge Lord Uist sentenced Nicol to life in prison and told him: "Immediately afterwards, in what can be described only as a sickening piece of behaviour on your part, you Nicol performed some sort of weird victory dance and laughed.

"It is clear to me that you have adopted a criminal lifestyle."

The judge said that during the street fight, Mr Johnston, who was crouched down and not doing anyone any harm was attacked by Nicol.

Mr Johnston was fatally injured after clash on June 24, 2010, in Elgin's Lesmurdie Road. He made his way to Dr Gray's Hospital but died shortly afterwards.