SuppliedThe mother of a man who was stabbed in the heart near her home has said her hopes of justice have “come true” after four men were sentenced for his murder.
Tony Ferns was attacked as he sat in his car near Phyllis Ferns’ home in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, on April 18, 2019.
The 33-year-old had parked his car before he was approached and stabbed in the heart and abdomen. He then managed to drive towards his mother’s home nearby before collapsing at her door.
Robert Park, 69, Raymond Platt, 56, Craig Colquhoun, 39, and Joseph McCulloch, 50, were convicted of the plot to fatally attack Tony and were jailed for a total of 81 years last month.
SuppliedSpeaking after the men were jailed, Phyllis said the sentence also brings justice for her late son Mark, who was knocked down by a car in 2012.
The High Court heard how Tony had been left devastated by the death of his disabled brother in 2017.
Prior to his passing, Mark was said to have been left badly affected by a road collision in 2012. In her evidence, his mother agreed Tony held a “grudge” against Park for this incident.
There were a number of clashes between the pair before Tony tried to call a “truce”.
But, instead, window cleaner Park teamed up with convicted killer Platt, his friend McCulloch and Colquhoun to kill Tony.
Police ScotlandProsecutors stated Platt was the attacker, with Colquhoun the getaway driver, in the Motability Audi Q2 car belonging to the mum of his then-partner.
McCulloch was said to have been helping track Tony’s movements before the killing.
Lord Fairley stated: “This was not, as is sometimes seen in these courts, a fight that got out of hand.
“This was a targeted and pre-planned assassination.”
Each was handed a life sentence. Platt was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment, the longest minimum jail term of the four.
Park – a convicted drug trafficker – was jailed for at least 20 years. He was described as “the instigator” for the murder.
Colquhoun was handed the same minimum term. He had previously been locked up for violence in 2012.
In a statement released following the sentencing, Phyllis said: “My hopes of justice for my son Tony came true after waiting six years and five months.
“The four men accused of Tony’s murder were found unanimously guilty by the jury at the High Court in Glasgow. The sentence for one of them also brings justice for my son Mark, who was knocked down by a car in 2012.
“I want to thank Police Scotland MITS team of officers and my Family Liaison Officers. I never ever lost faith in the fact that these officers worked extremely hard and were dedicated to getting justice for me.
“My thanks goes to the Procurator Fiscals and also all of the VIA staff, who were of great support to me throughout the trial.
“My thanks also to the court clerks, security and the amazing human beings that were the jury. I will be forever grateful for your hard work and patience during the deliberation of your verdict.
“Special thanks to Gemma, my Victim Support worker, and thanks also to PETAL counselling service.
“Lastly, my deepest thanks to my family and friends. I could not have gotten through all of this without them.”
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