Police ScotlandThree members of a Scottish criminal gang involved in a campaign of murder and violence have been jailed for a minimum of 59 years.
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”.
Police ScotlandFacebookGuthrie, 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.
Judge Lord Clark sentenced Harvey – who viewed proceedings by video link – to a life sentence with a minimum punishment of 29 years in prison.
The judge told him: “These were extremely brutal offences done because of drug debts owed by the victims.
“Each shooting was meticulously planned in advance.
“Crimes involving the use of guns are of the upper most concern to the public and the court.
“The fact the sale of drugs causes these appalling acts of violence and planned assassinations due to this drug debt is deeply disturbing.”
Guthrie had a minimum of eight years added to his earlier life sentence which was due to expire in 2041.
The judge said: “The jury convicted you on an art and part basis in the attempted murder of Scott Bennett which was a preplanned operation.
“These are very serious separate offences.
“You were already involved in the murder of Gary More and with two attempted murders it is of real concern.”
Owen was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years behind bars.
Lord Clark told him: “These crimes were pre-planned and you were found guilty of playing a part in each of them.
“These are extremely grave offences arising from drug debts owed by the victims.”
“By the verdict of the jury, you have been convicted of very serious offences.”
Murder of Gary More
FacebookThe 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 Mr More was murdered.
The Skoda getaway car was spotted near Mr More’s home at around 10pm. Harvey’s phone was stated to have been turned off at the time.
Guthrie’s phone later made a call for a taxi from his house to Maryhill – where Harvey’s girlfriend was living.
Police ScotlandThe next day Mr More was lured from his home by Anderson where they had a brief conversation.
The Skoda then pulled up and gunman Harvey got out.
He shot Mr More nine times to his head and body before running back inside the vehicle and fleeing 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.
He claimed he was asked by Guthrie to follow the Skoda to a farm in Baldernock, East Dunbartonshire, where it was set of fire.
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.”
Ms Glancy added: “There was funding of Turkey teeth acquired by Harvey. The Crown say this is additional expenditure which arises from the payment for the murder of Mr More which took place a few weeks before.”
Attempted murder of solicitor
Guthrie was earlier involved in the attempted murder of solicitor Joseph Shields near the lawyer’s city centre office.
Mr Shields defended a Scots crime gang headed by David Sell who was jailed for 16 years in 2018 for the abduction and torture of drug dealer Robert Allan.
Mr Shields suffered multiple injuries including to his hands, as he tried to protect his face, and his back. He required ten stitches.
The getaway vehicle was found burnt out in the same location used to set fire to the car used following Mr More’s murder.
‘Pre-planned execution attempt’ of drug dealer
Drug dealer and dog breeder Scott Bennett was shot once in 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 failed to attend work on the day of the shooting and his phone was turned off.
CCTV of the incident showed Bennett pulling into a parking space in his van and was joined by another vehicle.
Harvey then emerged and was seen to point the firearm at Bennett’s vehicle.
Bennett suffered a gun shot wound to his face with the bullet entering his jaw, passing through his teeth, cutting his tongue and lodging in his neck.
Bennett was able to flee the scene in his van.
Ms Glancy described the incident as “a pre-planned attempt at an execution”.
After the shooting, Harvey and his girlfriend went to Australia with flights costing £1,000.
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.
Murder of Rafal Lyko
Police ScotlandPolish national Rafal Lyko was murdered and left in a burning car in an incident believed to be 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.
At around 7.30pm in Cambuslang on the night of the murder, Mr Lyko was picked up in a Mercedes GLE vehicle stolen from an address in Edinburgh.
Police ScotlandMr Lyko was then driven to Blantyre where he was killed.
Prior to the murder, the car had been parked at a location on East Kilbride and cell site analysis showed that the vehicle was subject to check ups by Owen on the lead up to the shooting.
John Scullion KC, defending Harvey, told the sentencing that his client maintains his position at trial.
Thomas Ross KC, defending Guthrie, stated his client was involved due to drugs and financial pressures.
Brian McConnachie KC, defending Owen, said: “He was far from being the organising mind for these matters.”
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