6 months for youth in fatal row with Sir Sean's cousin

A TEENAGER who argued with Sir Sean Connery's cousin over loud music moments before he died of a heart attack was today sent to a young offenders' institute for six months.

James Connery, 68, collapsed and died in the street outside his Edinburgh home after confronting 18-year-old Scott McMillan about the noise from his car stereo. Even when Mr Connery's partner and a neighbour tried to resuscitate him, McMillan refused to turn the music off and instead turned the volume up.

Father-of-two Mr Connery, known as Jimmy, was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

McMillan, now 19, previously admitted a breach of the peace charge at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and was sentenced today. Sheriff James Scott said the offences were a "very serious matter" and the court had a duty to protect the public from such behaviour.

"Mr Connery and his wife were in their house having a meal about 5.45pm when they heard loud music out on the street and they and others went out as well," said the sheriff. You said that you would turn the music up louder and make Mr Connery's life even worse.

"When another neighbour was so moved by what was going on that she threatened to rip the music system out, you said she would be sorry if she did and she feared for her safety. People are entitled to live in peace.

"Mr Connery had a heart condition, he was aged 68, and he died. I have to take all these matters into account. I am satisfied that no sentence other than a custodial sentence is appropriate in these circumstances given the gravity of this."

McMillan admitted playing music from his car, refusing to turn the volume down and shouting and swearing, all to the alarm and annoyance of residents.

The court was told residents in Prestonfield Avenue had regularly been bothered by McMillan's car stereo during the day and night.

Mr Connery had been eating dinner with his partner, Irene Bell, 61, at 5.45pm on May 1, 2007, when they heard loud music coming from a car outside his bungalow. He went outside and asked driver McMillan to turn the volume down but McMillan told him he would turn it up.

Mr Connery, a retired scaffolder who had suffered five previous heart attacks, turned to walk away from McMillan and collapsed.

McMillan's car was seized and he told police he had played his music as he parked near his girlfriend's house. When asked why he had not turned the music down, he said he did not think it was loud.

Defence agent Jim Stephenson said bricklayer's mate McMillan, of Kirkhill Drive, Edinburgh, had suffered depression and was sorry for what had happened.

Sir Sean's father, Joseph, was the brother of Mr Connery's father, James.