AN EVIL killer who was part of a gang that brutally murdered a grandfather at his flat in Glasgow has launched a bid to have her sentence slashed.

Alongside accomplices Michael Anderson, 40, and James Houston, 35, Maria Gardiner, 47, took the life of Brian Maley at his home in Springburn in February 2022.

The High Court in Glasgow previously heard how the 52-year-old was stabbed with a knife and chisel by the gang, who were also found guilty of assaulting his partner Lynsey Patterson.

Brian Maley Brian Maley (Image: Police Scotland)

Gardiner and Anderson were each ordered to serve a minimum 18 years. Houston was locked up for at least 18 and a half years as he had been on bail at the time of the offence.

Now Gardiner has instructed her legal team to challenge the length of the sentence handed down to her, with a hearing set to be held later this month at the High Court of Appeal in Edinburgh.

Maria GardinerMaria Gardiner (Image: Police Scotland)

A spokesman for Scottish Courts and Tribunals said: “An appeal has been lodged against her 18-year punishment.”

A source told the Glasgow Times that Gardiner has shown little remorse for the heinous crime.

They said: “She’s only feeling sorry for herself and the length of time she will have to spend behind bars. She has no regard or compassion for the life that was lost or what her victim’s family have gone through already, they will be devastated to learn she is trying to have her sentence cut, all she cares about is trying to reduce the amount of time she’s locked up for.”

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During sentencing, Lord Fairley told the group that they had set off on the day of their crime with "the intention of doing harm" to Mr Maley.

The judge said: "You took with you a toolbox containing items, some of which were ultimately used as weapons.

"You subjected him to a vicious attack which included multiple penetrating injuries.

"The jury accepted that, all three of you, were party to and participated in the plan to assault Mr Maley in such a way that his death was a foreseeable outcome."

In his evidence, Houston told KC Murray Macara: "I am sorry to the family. I never knew that someone was going to be assaulted, knifed or murdered."

He said Anderson had apparently gone to Mr Maley's flat in Young Terrace to "collect something owed to him.”

Jurors had watched footage of the group initially walking from Govan into the city centre before getting a taxi to Mr Maley's home armed with a toolbox.

Once inside the flat, the court heard they launched a brutal attack on Mr Maley and Ms Patterson.

Gardiner and Houston were later arrested at a city centre hotel having spent Valentine's Day together.

Houston said he had "been played" and was just an "innocent bystander".

He also dismissed a text that he sent about fighting as "fake bravado".

Houston said: "If I knew that was going to happen, I would not have gone at all. Michael just said 'go with me' and I went."

After the verdict in January, prosecutor Michael Macintosh told the court: "Brian Maley was a father and grandfather.

"He is survived by three adult daughters - two who have attended the trial each day.

"He is also survived by six grandchildren. The youngest was born just before this trial commenced.

"He was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first grandson at the time.”