Murdered man's nurse ex 'cradled him after he was shot in head'

A woman sobbed in court as she recalled cradling her former partner after he was shot in the head.

Tracey Bell, 38, tended to murdered Gary More, 32, as he lay yards from his doorstep in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, on September 6, 2018.

The evidence was heard at the trial of Neil Anderson, 45, who is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of acting with others in murdering Mr More by repeatedly discharging a firearm at him.

Ms Bell, an NHS nurse, told jurors on Monday that she had arrived at the scene moments before mercy crews.

She had got a call from Mr More’s mother about the shooting.

Ms Bell, who repeatedly cried during her testimony, recalled: “I asked [his sister] if he was still breathing and kept him on his side.

“I checked if he had a pulse which he did, but it was thready.

“I lay down beside him and asked him to squeeze my hand.”

Prosecutor Liam Ewing QC asked if he did, which Ms Bell replied: “A wee bit, yeah.”

An ambulance soon arrived on the scene.

Ms Bell stated she was later told that the dad-of-two had passed away.

Mr More’s older sister Lindsey Blaney, 36, earlier told jurors that she had “suspected” that he was involved in illegal drugs.

Ms Blaney stated she was asked for £5000 a few months before his death but she refused.

She said: “He told me he needed to pay something earlier than he thought he had to pay it.”

The charity worker later told jurors Mr More owned a flat in Murcia, Spain, as well as a caravan at a holiday park in Ayrshire.

Anderson’s QC Donald Findlay asked: “How was he able to fund all that?”

Ms Blaney replied: “I knew he had a gym and I suspect he funded it through what I already said.”

Jurors also heard from forensic pathologist Dr Marjorie Turner, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Mr More’s body.

She told jurors that Mr More’s cause of death was ‘gunshot wounds to the head and neck”.

Dr Turner stated “three bullet tracks” were left in Mr More’s head.

She said: “One of these tracks had passed completely through the brain and two passed across his face.

“All of which passed exited on the right side of his head.

“Those which caused the brain injury could have been fatal.”

Jurors were told another bullet entered Mr More’s chest and damaged his vertebrae, spinal cord and passed through his neck.

These would also have been fatal in themselves.

Another bullet was recovered from Mr More’s right shoulder having initially entered through his arm.

Dr Turner also claimed a further bullet “grazed without penetrating” the back of his head.

Forensic scientist Ian McGuinness told the court he assessed the scene the day after the shooting and prepared a report.

He stated that Mr More was shot with a “9mm Lugar self-loading pistol”.

Mr McGuinness said: “From the presence of fire cartridge cases, bullets and bullet fragments, it’s our opinion that 11 shots were discharged.”

Neil and David Anderson, 37, are also accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards Mr More by attending his home, threatening him and demanding money.

The Andersons also face a separate allegation of being concerned in the supply of drugs between March and September 2018.

The offences are said to be aggravated by a connection to organised crime.

David Anderson also denies the allegations.

The trial continues before judge Lord Mulholland.