Former soldier was left brain damaged after gangland attack, court hears

A former soldier was left brain damaged after being ambushed in the street by a masked gang, a court heard.

Ryan Fitzsimmons told jurors: “It felt like death was coming”.

The 34 year-old was set upon as he got in his car to head to work in April 2017.

His mum 61 year-old Geraldine was so affected by what happened to her stricken son, she suffered a heart attack in the street.

Mr Fitzsimmons told jurors he had “no enemies” and had never been in trouble with the police.

But, jurors heard his older brother Martyn was a convicted criminal and had once been charged with shooting a man called Ross Monaghan.

He giving evidence at the trial of six men allegedly part of the “Lyons” criminal gang said to have targeted those linked to the “Daniel” crime clan.

37 year-old Brian Ferguson, 40 year-old Andrew Gallacher, 53 year-old Robert Pickett, 32 year-old Andrew Sinclair, 35 year-old John Hardie and 45 year-old Peter Bain deny charges at the High Court in Glasgow.

The allegations include a string of attempted murders over a 15 month period.

It is alleged they targeted Mr Fitzsimmons, Thomas Bilsland, Gary Petty, Robert Daniel, and Steven Daniel.

The charge spans between June 2016 and September 2017 listing locations in Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Manchester.

Mr Fitzsimmons was attacked on April 28 2017 outside the home he shared with his mum in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

He was a Sainsbury's delivery driver at the time having previously served in the armed forces with the Royal Engineers.

Mr Fitzsimmons was going in his car to start a shift when another motor suddenly “zoomed” up right beside him.

He then told jurors: “Four of five people came out all in black. They were masked up.

“They came round the back of my car. I then saw a sword-like object coming towards me.”

Mr FItzsimmons recalled keeping his head down as he was then set upon.

He told the trial: “I can remember vividly as if it (the weapon) was getting stuck in my head and that it was an effort to get it out.

“It was as if they were trying to chop the top of my head off. I was getting a kicking.

“I was trying to protect myself as much as I could. It felt like death was coming.”

The witness said the attack lasted “a few minutes”. He recalled the assailants saying nothing.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney asked: “What was going through your head at the time?”

He replied: “I did not think there was any way back for me.”

A neighbour raced to his aid before a badly injured Mr Fitzsimmons ended up in hospital.

He recalled his skull being like a “broken easter egg”.

As well as surgery on his head, Mr Fitzsimmons needed a plate inserted in his left arm

He also continues to have issues with his right arm.

The court heard he was once a keen runner and had been training for the London Marathon.

But, jurors were told he is now unable to live independently requiring daily help from his mum.

He said: “I am not the same person. I am not outgoing and keep things to myself. I don't know who to trust.”

Mr Fitzsimmons was asked today/yesterday did he have “any enemies” prior to the attack.

He replied: “No, none at all.”

The court heard he had also “never been involved in crime”.

Mr Fitzsimmons was then quizzed about his brother Martyn.

Prosecutor Mr Kearney said Martyn had been convicted of “quite serious firearms offences”.

Mr Fitzsimmons agreed.

Jurors were told Martyn Fitzsimmons was in custody around the time of the attack on his brother.

Mr Kearney: “Was he charged with shooting a man named Ross Monaghan? Did you subsequently learn that?”

Mr Fitzsimmons: “Yes.”

The court was also shown a Sunday newspaper article about Martyn Fitzsimmons from November 2016.

The story made mention of apparent links he had to “enforcer” Kevin “Gerbil” Carroll.

Mr Fitzsimmons mum later recalled the “horrible” scene she was faced with after returning home from a shopping trip.

She was told by police her son had been attacked and that people were “holding towels to his head”.

Mr Kearney asked her: “You took unwell at that point – what happened?”

She replied: “I took a heart attack.”

Mrs Fitzsimmons ended up joining her son in hospital. It was days later before she was allowed to see him.

She said: “He was terrible. He was just lying there. It was not nice.”

The mum added her son had “always been a good boy”.

The trial, before Lord Mulholland, continues.