One of the accused in Glasgow traffic light shooting cleared of murder

One of the men accused of shooting Euan Johnston at he sat in his car at traffic lights was cleared of murdering him. Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC withdrew the charges against Anthony Ruthven, 33, who denied blasting Mr Johnston in the head with a firearm on November 15, 2016 at the junction of Shields Road and Scotland Street, Glasgow.

Mr Prentice told the High Court in Glasgow: “Having reviewed the evidence led and the evidence still to come, I now withdraw the libel against Anthony Ruthven.”

Judge Lady Stacey told Mr Ruthven: “The Crown has withdrawn the libel against you which means you are acquitted of these charges.”

In addition to the murder charge Mr Ruthven was accused of attempted murder and assault charges in connection to alleged incidents on August 12, 2016. He was also cleared of these charges which he also denied.

His co-accused David Scott, 33, is still on trial accused of murdering Mr Johnston by shooting him.

The trial was adjourned until today when evidence will resume.

Mr Prentice said: “It will be obvious in light of my decision in relation to Mr Ruthven that this will have an impact on the case.”

Defence QC Tony Graham, representing Scott, said: “Attempts will be made to take a precognition from Mr Ruthven.”

Lady Stacey told the jury: “Ladies and gentlemen the advocate depute has withdrawn the case against Mr Ruthven and the Crown wishes to go ahead with the case against Mr Scott, but he' has found himself without witnesses today.”(Wed)

She added: “This turn of events has happened, but you shouldn't make up your minds about anything based on what has happened today. You have to listen to all the evidence.”

The Crown decision to drop the charges against Mr Ruthven followed evidence on Tuesday afternoon from David Callander, 31, from Glasgow, who has learning difficulties and ADHD and cannot read or write.

It was claimed that he told police in an interview on December 16, 2016, that he was in a Glasgow flat where he heard Mr Ruthven say: 'Bang, I nipped that EJ. We pulled up at the lights and I f***ing shot him. I was sitting in the back passenger seat and I put the window down and done him.”

However, in evidence Mr Callander denied ever being in the flat.

He was asked by Mr Prentice: “Did you answer the police questions,” and Mr Callander replied: “Aye, but I didn't understand them. I just agreed with them. They were telling me what to say.”

The jury has heard that Mr Johnston was sitting in his Audi RS4 at red lights around 11.40pm on November 15, 2016, when he was shot in the head suffering a “catastrophic” injury.

He died later in hospital after his life support machine was switched off.

The trial before Lady Stacey continues.