Suspected gangster charged with plot to attack Lyons assassin's son

A suspected criminal gang member has been charged with plotting to attack the son of a gangland assassin.

Scott Lawlor is said to have been part of a plan to harm Raymond Anderson Junior in 2020.

He is the son of hitman Raymond Anderson, serving life for his part in gunning down Michael Lyons, 21, at the Applerow Motors garage in Lambhill, Glasgow, in December 2006.

Lawlor was one of nine men arrested last week in an operation targeting alleged members of the Lyons crime group.

The 38-year-old faced charges during a private appearance at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

It is alleged that Lawlor was involved in using the EncroChat phone network before it was busted by the law authorities.

Prosecutors alleged that – between March 30 and May 7, 2020, at an upmarket flat in the city’s West End – he conspired with another user known as Morbidsquid to commit a “serious assault and severely injure” Anderson Jr.

This is said to have involved discussing how it would happen as well as carrying out surveillance on the alleged target.

Court papers claim arrangements were made with Morbidsquid to source and obtain firearms, along with cars to use in any attack.

Lawlor faces a separate charge of plotting a similar assault on an individual known as “Chunk”.

He is again said to have been in contact with Morbidsquid as well as another EncroChat user called Lawlesshound.

It is claimed Lawlor agreed a “financial sum” that was to be paid for any assault and that a vehicle used by him was to be “professionally cleaned” to “remove fingerprints to avoid detection from law enforcement”.

The charges are said to be connected to serious and organised crime.

Lawlor and co-accused Peter Hetherington, 39, face a charge of being involved in organised crime using encrypted devices such as EncroChat to communicate.

It is claimed they sourced, supplied and adulterated drugs such as cocaine, diamorphine, MDMA and ketamine.

It is alleged that the men collected, transported, concealed and distributed the drugs.

The duo are then alleged to have acquired, used, possessed and transported money from the proceeds of crime.

They are further accused of exchanging messages and images related to possessing firearms and ammunition.

The men are also alleged to have shared messages and images in relation to acts and threats of violence against Mr Anderson Jr and Chunk.

These allegations span from October 2019 to May 2020.

Hetherington faces two charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and diamorphine between March and June 2020.

These charges are aggravated by an alleged connection with serious organised crime.

Lawlor, of Erskine, Renfrewshire, and Hetherington, of Glasgow’s Milton, made no plea at court.

Lawlor was remanded in custody pending further examination by Sheriff Patrick Hughes, while Hetherington was granted bail.

Lawlor will appear at court again within the next seven days, while Hetherington’s next date is to be determined.