Murderers who killed man in 'grotesque' case of mistaken identity in Greenock jailed

Two men have been jailed for a total of 34 years after a man was knocked down in a case of “mistaken identity” before being attacked with a machete.

Alexander McQuillan, 27, and Richard Mullan, 21, admitted separate murder charges in the killing of Michael Beaton, 35, in Greenock, Inverclyde, on November 26, 2023.

Both were handed life sentences by Judge Lord Cubie.

McQuillan must serve at least 18 years behind bars while Mullan was locked up for a minimum 16 years.

Alexander McQuillan pled guilty of the murder of Michael Beaton on Tuesday, 11 November, 2025, at Glasgow High Court. Police Scotland

Mullan and Mr Beaton seemed to be targeting McQuillan in the town that night.

Mr Beaton initially chased McQuillan and an associate on foot.

Mullan was in a stolen Audi Q2 and drove at speed, planning to hit McQuillan – but struck Mr Beaton instead.

Not realising his error, he then drove into him a second time.

McQuillan took refuge in a nearby close, but, on seeing Mr Beaton badly hurt, he struck him repeatedly with a machete and stated: “You’ll not do something like that again in a hurry”.

The killers had pled guilty to murder at earlier hearings.

Mullan and Mr Beaton had been out in Greenock on the night of the incident, “apparently searching” for McQuillan.

Mr Beaton had been driving a red Ford Fiesta while Mullan was behind the wheel of a stolen white Audi Q2, which had false number plates.

McQullian and a friend were out in the town at around 7.15pm.

At the same time, Mr Beaton and Mullan were in their cars nearby.

Mr Beaton stopped his car and McQuillan and his associate then approached Mr Beaton’s Ford.

The victim then got out of his vehicle, where a “verbal exchange” was seen between the three men.

McQuillan and his friend then sprinted off as Mr Beaton chased on foot with the engine to his Ford still running.

Mullen then turned around and drove in his Audi at speed on the wrong side of the road.

The court heard that Mullan intended to strike McQuillan, but instead hit Mr Beaton, who was thrown onto the far side of the road.

On a CCTV recording, saying, ‘ha, ha, he has just done his own pal’.”

Mr Beaton was badly hurt and curled up on the road.

McQuillan hid in a close while Mullan, still believing he had hit McQuillan then turned around his Audi to try and hit him again.

Mr Beaton saw this and tried to stagger to the pavement – but was struck for a second time.

He was flung down the road and this time lay motionless on the pavement.

Mullan raced off, damaging a traffic control box on his way.

Witnesses went to help Mr Beaton while McQuillan came out of the close he was in carrying a machete.

He jogged over to the victim with others, thinking he was also going to assist him.

Witnesses heard McQuillan say to Mr Beaton: “You’ll not do something like that again in a hurry”, before striking him several times with the machete.

McQuillan jumped into Mr Beaton’s vehicle, initially stopping at a car park, then his sister’s home, before going to his own house.

Mr Beaton was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent surgery, but did not survive.

The court heard Mr Beaton died from a combination of injuries.

Mullan was arrested, having initially gone to Spain after the killing.

Lord Cubie told the pair they had each accepted murdering Mr Beaton in a “shocking way” and that it was a “grotesque twist” Mullan thought he had been driving at McQuillan.