Pair who knifed Glasgow dad to death jailed

Author: Selena JacksonPublished 10th May 2021

Two thugs who murdered a dad on his doorstep have been jailed for a total of 39 years.

Michael Toal, 50, and Terence Morgan, 32, killed Alan Ritchie on March 10 last year.

Jurors heard how the 61 year-old begged a concierge for help after he was stabbed at his 16th-floor flat in Glasgow's Carnwadric.

Morgan and Toal were both convicted of murder today/yesterday

Lady Rae ordered Toal serve a minimum 20 years behind bars and Morgan 19 years following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Jurors heard how the killers were clocked within the tower block in the city's Kennishead Avenue.

The stricken victim Mr Ritchie went on to call the concierge stating: "Get an ambulance. I have been stabbed."

Alan never survived the attack having been knifed on the head and body.

His friend Robert Smith told how he had seen fellow Rangers fan Alan shortly before the killing to discuss watching a game.

The 43 year-old neighbour said: "We spoke at the door. He seemed to be in a rush.

"He did not hang about, so I went back downstairs (to his flat)."

After returning home, Robert went on to hear banging in his landing and someone shouting a nickname for Alan.

Robert left his flat and found a scar-faced man appearing "impatient, possibly hostile".

Shown a photo of Morgan in court, the witness said this looked like the individual.

Robert said: "I spent nothing more than a couple of minutes with him. I just wanted him off the floor."

Prosecutor Angela Gray asked the witness: "After Thomas Morgan left, did you hear anything else?"

Robert: "Nothing for a couple of hours and that would have been the police arriving."

Morgan and Toal were captured on CCTV going down several flights of stairs in the building appearing to be armed.

Both denied murder during the trial. Each already had a lengthy history of violence.

Sentencing. Lady Rae said: "You have been convicted of murdering a man at the door of his home.

"It is clear from the evidence that you both armed yourselves with a knife.

"Both persisted with this attack and nothing can be said in mitigation for this terrible killing.

"The victim impact statements tell of a family who is suffering greatly the loss of a loved one.