Gang of men convicted of campaign of murder and violence

A gang of three men have been convicted of a deadly campaign of murder and violence in Scotland.

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 fatally shooting gym boss Gary More, 32, on the doorstep of his home in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, on September 6, 2018.

The 35-year-old – called a “cold blooded killer” by prosecutors – was paid for the hit with money he then spent on a set of “Turkey teeth”.

Guthrie, who is already serving a life senence as the getaway driver in Mr More’s murder, was found guilty for the attempted murder of a 63-year-old lawyer at Carlton Place near to Glasgow Sheriff Court on July 19, 2018.

Owen was found guilty of the murder of Rafal Lyko who was shot in the head in Greenhall Park in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, and then found within a Mercedes car that had been set on fire on February 11, 2019.

All three men were found guilty of the attempted murder of a 37-year-old man outside a veterinary practice in Cathkin on December 3, 2018.

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

Following the verdict Gary More’s father, Lindsay More and his wife Margaret said: “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.

“We would also like to say a massive thank you to Police Scotland, the Advocate Deputes and the prosecution team who have worked relentlessly and with the highest levels of professionalism to ensure Gary’s killers were held to account for his murder.”

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

All three men were remanded in custody.