Man's tongue ripped after being shot in the face in Rutherglen murder bid

Three men are accused of conducting the alleged attack

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 8th Jan 2024

Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow heard how a man's tongue was ripped, after being shot in the face by a gang in Rutherglen.

Scott Bennett was allegedly assaulted by Barry Harvey, 35, and Thomas Guthrie, 27, and Darren Owen, 23, on December 3rd 2018.

Court papers state they shot him on his head at Taylor Veterinary Surgery, where the bullet became lodged in his neck.

Despite undergoing surgeries, doctors had to keep the bullet in place due to the risk of further injuries

The trio are stated to have set a car on fire said to have been used in the offence in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.

Crown junior Victoria Dow stated that the bullet cut Mr Bennett's tongue and his injuries required stitches.

She said: "The jaw fractures were consistent with a bullet entering his jaw.

"In an operation, his fractures were repaired with two titanium plates and eight titanium screws.

"The bullet remains in situ because of the risk of permanent injury."

The court heard that a silver BMW was stolen from the Newton Mearns area on October 10th or 11th 2018.

It was stated that the BMW was "wilfully set on fire" and found in Glasgow's Battlefield on the same day as the shooting.

The trial continues before Judge Lord Clark.

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