Violent 'career criminal' jailed for the murder of Euan 'EJ' Johnston in Glasgow
The 26-year old was gunned down at traffic lights in Kinning Park in November 2016
Last updated 10th May 2018
A violent career criminal was convicted of murdering alleged drug dealer Euan Johnston as he sat in his car at red lights. David Scott, 33, from Glasgow, who was part of a gang which planned the cold-blooded execution of dad-of-two Mr Johnston was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars.
Scott was caught because he left behind a hooded top in the getaway car an Audi Q5 which was abandoned and set ablaze.
But, painstaking work by forensic scientists recovered fragments of the badly burned top Scott had worn during the crime. His DNA was found on the zip area.
Police also found CCTV footage of the gang carrying out surveillance on Mr Johnston's movements shortly before his death. One the footage one of the men is seen wearing the Nike top and pulling up the zip.
Scott was found guilty of murdering the 26-year old - while acting with others unknown, by repeatedly discharging a firearm at him on November 15, 2016 at the junction of Shields Road and Scotland Street, Glasgow.
At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lady Stacey told Scott : “You coldly and deliberately cut a man's life short, leaving a grieving family. You carried this out in a public street and showed no regard to not only your victim but also to members of the public.
She added: “The attack was a premeditated murderous assault which involved a lethal weapon. It has correctly been called an execution and was carried out in a public street. You have many convictions for crimes of violence.”
The court heard that Mr Johnston was sitting in his Audi RS4 at the junction of Shields Road and Scotland Street at 11.40pm. He and his friend Brian McMahon, 31, had just left the nearby Red Pepper restaurant in St Andrews Road where they had had a meal.
Mr Johnston was waiting for the lights to change to green and chatting to his partner Danielle Carruthers on the phone when an Audi Q5 drove alongside and three shots rang out.
Two of the bullets hit Mr Johnston, who was known as EJ, in the head. One went through his brain causing an unsurvivable injury.
The third bullet hit the rubber seat round the driver's door of Mr Johnston's car.
At the time of the shooting described in court by prosecutor Alex Prentice QC as 'a well planned execution” Mr Johnston was awaiting trial at the High Court on charges of drug dealing £640,000 of heroin.
In evidence Ms Carruthers, 33, who had a child with Mr Johnston, said she phoned him to see what time he would be home.
She said: “He said he was on the way to drop his friend Brian McMahon off and would be home soon. Immediately after he said that there was a revving off the car and a loud bang. I was shouting 'Euan are you alright.'
“I didn't know what had happened. It wasn't until I heard Brian screaming' Euan, Euan, Euan,' over and over again I knew something was wrong.”
Ms Carruthers said she then heard someone say: “EJ has been shot in the face.”
Seconds after the shots rang out the Audi Q5 sped off and was later found burnt out.
A detailed forensic examination of the car revealed two things. One was a bullet casing which matched one found at the scene of the shooting.
The other was burned fragments of a Nike hi-tech Windrammer zipper top which had Scott's DNA on it.
The jury was shown CCTV footage which illustrated the timeline of the shooting of Mr Johnston.
At 10.46pm Mr Johnston and his friend Brian McMahon are seen entering the Red Pepper restaurant in St Andrews Road, Glasgow, and ordering a meal.
The Audi Q5 is seen at 11.30pm driving towards the Red Pepper restaurant and then driving past it twice while Mr Johnston and his friend eat at a window seat.
At 11.32pm the Audi Q5 parked in McCulloch Street which gives a view of the Red Pepper restuarant
The Audi Q5 is parked there some time and men from the car are seen walking past Mr Johnston's car .
As Mr Johnston drives off in his Audi RS4 at 11.39pm , the men run back to their Audi Q5 and both cars head towards Shields Road.
At 11.41pm Mr McMahon telephoned the emergency services to say Mr Johnston has been shot.
After the jury returned their verdict Mr Prentice told the court that Scott had a number of previous convictions for carrying weapons and violence.
Scott showed no emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence.
His co-accused Anthony Ruthven, 33, was cleared of murdering Mr Johnston after prosecutor Alex Prentice withdrew the charges against him during the trial.
As Scott stood in the dock after being sentenced, but before he was handcuffed by G4S and led down to the cells, he gave a thumbs up sign.
Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr, Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said: "We welcome the conviction of David Scott. This was a pre-planned, cold blooded murder of a young man in the middle of a busy area, and despite being targeted, was an act which was cowardly and without regard for any innocent bystanders who may have been in the vicinity.
"This type of violence involving illegal firearms will not be tolerated and regardless of who is involved, no one should be on our streets discharging them. Organised crime is a serious issue that affects individuals, communities and businesses across Scotland.
"Our extensive investigation revealed to us that there was more than just one person at the scene of the shooting and we would ask anyone who has information that may be useful to contact police.
"Any new information will be thoroughly investigated.''