'Evil Jesus' placed in mental health unit until murder plot sentencing

A man convicted of plotting to murder a prosecutor while suffering from delusions that he was "evil Jesus" has been ordered to a medium secure mental health unit ahead of his sentencing in May.

Martin Ready, 42, was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow last year of attempting to arrange the murder of Darren Harty by hiring a hitman on the dark web using cryptocurrency.

Between May 2021 and September 2022, Ready transferred £5,071.24 in Bitcoin to a website called "Online Killers Market" and provided instructions for Mr Harty to be shot.

However, the website turned out to be fraudulent.

During the trial, Ready claimed he had experienced delusions that he was "evil Jesus" and believed ordering the killing would expose organised crime in Coatbridge, where Mr Harty’s family owned a pub.

Although the two men had previously known each other through the pub, the court heard they had not been in contact for several years before the plot.

Ready denied the charge, arguing he was not criminally responsible due to his mental state. However, he was convicted and has been held on remand at HMP Barlinnie.

On Tuesday at the High Court in Kilmarnock, judge Lady Hood issued an interim compulsion order, directing that Ready be transferred to Rowanbank Clinic in Glasgow for treatment.

The move had been delayed due to a lack of available beds, but Ready’s lawyer, Brian McConnachie KC, confirmed to the court that a place had now been secured.

Lady Hood told Ready that medical reports confirmed he suffers from a "delusional disorder" and that she was satisfied the order was appropriate.

The order will remain in place for 12 weeks, with sentencing scheduled for 5 May 2025 at Glasgow High Court.

Ready appeared at the hearing via video link from Barlinnie, wearing a blue polo shirt and jeans. He showed no reaction as the order was handed down.

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