Three men found guilty of campaign of murder and violence across Lanarkshire and Glasgow

Three men have been convicted of a campaign of murder and violence throughout Lanarkshire and Glasgow. Barry Harvey, Thomas Guthrie and Darren Owen were found guilty after a 12-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Harvey was convicted of gunning down gym boss Gary More, 32, on the doorstep of his home in Airdrie, Lanarkshire on September 6 2018.

The 35 year-old - called a "cold blooded killer" by prosecutors - was paid for the hit.

Harvey was also later involved in the murder bid of drug dealer Scott Bennett, 43, who was shot outside a vets in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire on December 3 of that year.

Guthrie - already serving a life sentence for being the getaway driver in the More killing - was convicted for his role in the Bennett attack.

The 27 year-old was separately guilty of the slashing in the attempted murder of lawyer Joe Shields, 68, outside his office close to Glasgow Sheriff Court on July 19 2018.

Owen, 23, was found to have murdered Rafal Lyko, 36, whose remains were discovered in a burned-out Mercedes in Blantyre, Lanarkshire on February 11 2019.

Co-accused Thomas Wilson, 26, was found not guilty of murdering Mr Lyko.

Owen was further convicted of being part of the vets shooting of Bennett.

It is believed that the gang are linked to notorious brothers Barry and James Gillespie whose crime network once spanned the globe.

Former Partick Thistle youth player Harvey was caged in 2007 for nine years as a teenager for a savage knife attack on Thomas McCairns.

The hitman was described to a court as being an "enforcer" and "top dog" while "subservient" Guthrie did his bidding.

Judge Lord Clark told the trio today: "By the verdict of the jury, you have been convicted of very serious offences."

Harvey did not attend the verdict due to ill health however the judge stated: "He can be made aware that the sentence for murder is fixed by life imprisonment."

Owen was also told by the judge to expect life behind bars.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Mr More owed a drug debt of £100,000.

He was repeatedly visited on the run up to his murder by Neil Anderson who was later given a life sentence for his involvement in the killing.

Guthrie and Harvey went on a reconnaissance mission of the scene the night before dad Mr More was murdered.

Harvey shot Mr More nine times on his head and body before he ran back inside the vehicle and fled the scene.

The Skoda was found burnt out later that night.

Harvey and Guthrie's associate Scott Brown gave vital evidence at the trial which helped convict the men.

Following the verdict Gary More's father, Lindsay More and his wife Margaret said:

“We would like to thank Police Scotland and everyone who has worked so hard to secure this conviction today. Gary is missed every day. These people have robbed him and us of our future, blowing our family apart. Life will never be the same again.

“We will be forever grateful for the support that we have received from the police and court liaison, for their unwavering understanding and support, and seeing us through the most devastating time of our lives.

"Nothing will bring Gary back, or mend the devastation to the family, but we take comfort now that justice has been served.”

Gary's mother Angela and sister Lynsey said:

“Gary was a much-loved Dad to two young children, he was a son, a brother, a nephew, an uncle and a friend to many. He will be remembered by us every day - as a gentle giant with the best laugh, he loved the gym, loved listening to his favourite songs on repeat but most importantly loved his family, and was loved in return by them.

“Those responsible for his death will now face the consequences of their actions, but what they don’t realise, or care about, is that we will also suffer from their actions for the rest of our lives too.

“We would like to thank our key workers from Victim Support Scotland who have and continue to help and support us. Also, our dedicated VIA officer who has supported us immeasurably through both trials.

Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy said in her closing speech: "Harvey was a cold blooded killer carrying out a job or hit for payment which went to his house and a holiday to Krakow with his girlfriend."

It was stated that Harvey paid £200 for the flights which was suggested was "proceeds" from the murder.

Guthrie was earlier involved in the attempted murder of solicitor Joseph Shields yards from his city centre office.

Mr Shields defended a Scots crime gang headed by David Sell who was jailed for 16 years in 2018 for an abduction and torture of drug dealer Robert Allan.

Miss Glancy said: "Thomas Guthrie carried out this cowardly unprovoked assault on Mr Shields.

"We know from CCTV the attacker was waiting for some time for Mr Shields to emerge from his office at the end of the day.

"The injuries sustained by Mr Shields were significant - he had multiple injuries and required medical treatment.

"He had a cut from his ear to the corner of his mouth and another to the right temple which needed 10 stitches.

"He had a cut on his right cheek and defensive injuries to his hands as he tried to protect his face - he also had slashes to his back."

Mr Shields was helped back into his office by witness and colleague John McGuire who rang 999 for help.

The advocate depute added that there was an obvious danger to his life had he not received medical treatment.

The getaway vehicle used in the murder bid was found burnt out in the same location used to set fire to the car used in the Mr More murder.

Drug dealer and dog breeder Bennett was shot once on the head as he was sat in his van outside a vets in Rutherglen.

Another reconnaissance mission of the area took place in the lead up to the attempted murder.

Phone numbers relating to Harvey and Owen hit cell sites which were in key areas including the vets.

Guthrie meantime failed to attend work on the day of the shooting and his phone was turned off.

Miss Glancy referred to the evidence of Miss Montgomery's brother David Munro who gave Harvey an alibi that they watched a Celtic match together the night before.

The depute stated: "This would not have affected him during the reconnaissance."

CCTV of the incident showed Bennett pulling into a parking space in his van and was joined by another vehicle beside it.

Shooter Harvey then emerged and was seen to point the firearm at Bennett's vehicle.

A joint minute of agreed evidence said: "Bennett was found to have sustained a single gun shot wound to the left side of his face.

"The bullet entered his jaw, passed through his teeth and tongue and lodged in his neck."

It was stated that the bullet cut Bennett's tongue and his injuries required stitches.

Bennett was seen to be able to flee the scene in his van immediately after the shooting.

Miss Glancy said: "He was sitting waiting for something or someone. What takes place is a pre-planned attempt at an execution.

"The Crown have established beyond reasonable doubt that this was committed by Guthrie, Harvey and Owen acting together - each had a role to play.

"Harvey was the gun man when he acted in concert with Guthrie as he did in the Gary More murder. Both acted in concert with Owen."

After the shooting, Harvey and Miss Montgomery went to Australia with flights costing £1,000.

Miss Glancy said: "This is a significant sum to be spent on a holiday for someone without legitimate income."

Bennett was locked up for four years and eight months in 2022 after he pled guilty to being involved in serious organised crime and the supply of controlled drugs.

Polish national Mr Lyko was murdered and left in a burning car which Miss Glancy stated was related to "drugs and drug debt."

Mr Lyko told his cousin that he was to return to Scotland to be set up with a job in Valencia to work off the debt.

A Mercedes GLE vehicle was stolen in Edinburgh meantime which was later used in the murder of Mr Lyko.

Mr Lyko in his own Mercedes was picked up by the GLE vehicle in Cambuslang Lanarkshire, around 7.30pm on the night of his murder.

Mr Lyko was then driven to Blantyre, Lanarkshire, where he was killed.

Miss Glancy said: "11 minutes later the car was ignited. Mr Lyko was shot once in the vehicle of the vehicle that was recovered."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month at the High Court in Glasgow.

All three men were remanded in custody meantime.

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