Man accused of Paisley murder pins blame solely on co-accused

A man charged with killing a dad claimed he was in the dock for a murder he did not commit. Stuart McLellan (28) instead pinned the blame on 25 year-old co-accused James Wright.

McLellan also said a message about him using a “blade” on someone was “bravado”.

The 28 year-old was giving evidence at the High Court in Glasgow.

McLellan and Wright - also known as Jamie - deny murdering Craig McLelland (31) in Paisley, Renfrewshire in July 2017.

Both deny the charge at the High Court in Glasgow.

McLellan told jurors: “I am up for a murder that I never done.”

The trial has earlier heard of Facebook messages exchanged between him and Wright that were recovered by police.

This included one sent from McLellan stating he was going to “end up busting a c*** wae a blade”.

He denied he had been thinking of stabbing someone.

McLellan told his QC Ian Duguid it was 'bravado” and “stupid”.

He added: “It is not uncommon for people to write a lot of s****.”

McLellan further insisted: “My mouth gets me into trouble.”

Wright's QC John Scott later put McLellan that the messages “only make sense” if he had a knife.

But, McLellan replied: “If I followed through with every threat I had made I would have been in the high court a long time ago.”

Mr Scott further stated: “You are simply prepared to blame anyone?”

McLellan: “I am standing here for a murder I never done because of that rat.”

The lawyer: “The sole reason to give evidence is to try and blame Jamie Wright.”

He replied: “I cannot sit back and take the blame for a murder that I had nothing to do with.”

McLellan went on to tell jurors: “It was Jamie and only Jamie who had a knife that night.”

The trial, before Lord Mathhews, continues.