Two men who plotted to kill a rival have each been jailed for seven and a half years.

Gerald Gilmour, 35, and Martin Mullen, 34, were snared after police cracked encrypted messages discussing the plan.

The duo targeted Robert "Bob" Ross as they sourced firearms for the hit.

The pair communicated via Encrochat - the platform favoured by criminals.

But, after the messaging service was smashed by French and Dutch law authorities in 2020, the kill bid was foiled.

Police went on to discover a Glock pistol and a shotgun - said to have been used in a previous murder - at a house linked to Gilmour.

The pair on Friday returned to the High Court in Glasgow having earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to murder.

The crime spanned between May 5 and June 2020 listing addresses in Paisley and Larkhall.

Judge Douglas Brown said it was evident from messages both "wanted the victim dead".

He went on: "It is clear that the conspiracy reached an advance stage by time police intervened.

"The target's home had been identified - you, Gilmour, had agreed to carry out the murder for an agreed price.

"You, Mullen, told a principle of the crime group that Gilmour had agreed to carry out the murder."

He added a stolen motor as well the firearms and ammunition had been sought with the "pros and cons" of each weapon discussed.

The jail-term was cut from 10 years, due to the guilty plea.

Ross was said to be part of a "rival organised crime group".

In April 2020, Mullen, of Paisley, stated in a text to an associate how he would like him "chopped".

Mullen later claimed Gilmour said he would "do that Bob Ross".

Gilmour was later in contact with the head of his crime mob.

The prosecutor told the court: "They discuss the job, weapons involved, payment and an Encrochat phone being sourced for Gilmour."

Gilmour - previously jailed for attempted murder - further revealed his "hatred" for the target.

Mullen later stated "because people are wearing masks, this is a good time to do the job" - referring to one of the then pandemic measures.

The prosecutor: "On May 30, Gilmour looks to source ammunition for a shotgun.

"He tells Mullen it was used in a previous shooting referencing a recent murder.

"Gilmour states that he was directed to it by the perpetrator of the recent crime.

"It was rusty, but he checked that it was operational."

A Glock pistol and bullets were later delivered in a bag by associate Alistair Douglas, 56, to Gilmour at a pub.

But, later that same day, Gilmour was held at a house in Lanarkshire.

He told police: "What you find here is mine."

He directed police to the Glock hidden in the loft. It was in a bag with the writing: "Thank you - have a nice day". Ammunition was also seized.

A wooden handled shotgun was discovered in a shed.

A total of £115,350 of heroin and £52,035 of street Valium was further found during the raid.

Douglas, also of Paisley, pleaded guilty to involvement in serious organised crime which included delivering the Glock to Gilmour as well as the trafficking of drugs.

He was jailed for a total of five years and three months.

Gilmour also admitted to that same crime, while Mullen pleaded guilty to a separate charge of directing organised crime involving drugs and guns.

They were each handed concurrent jail-terms for those offences to run alongside the seven and a half years.

Gilmour's KC Gordon Jackson said he had been "extremely co-operative" durng the police raid.

Jennifer Bain KC, defending Mullen, told the court he got involved after covid hit his ground maintenance business.

Douglas's KC Thomas Ross meantime also said the former carer had money worries at the time.

Sentencing, Judge Brown paid tribute to the law authorities in smashing the Encrochat network.