Scots supergang member bought Turkey teeth after Gary More killing

Barry Harvey, Thomas Guthrie and Darren Owen were found guilty after a mammoth 12-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Former footballer-turned-assassin Harvey was convicted of gunning down gym boss Gary More, 32, above, on the doorstep of his home in Airdrie on September 6 2018.

The 35-year-old - called a "cold blooded killer" by prosecutors - was paid for the hit - which saw him splash out on a shiny new set of "Turkey teeth".

Harvey was also later involved in the murder bid of drug dealer Scott Bennett, 43, who was shot outside a vets in Rutherglen on December 3 of that year.

Guthrie - already serving a life sentence for being the getaway driver in the More killing - was convicted for his role in the Bennett attack.

The 27-year-old was separately guilty of the brutal slashing in the attempted murder of lawyer Joe Shields, 68, outside his office close to Glasgow Sheriff Court on July 19 2018.

Owen, 23, was found to have murdered Rafal Lyko, 36, whose remains were discovered in a burned-out Mercedes in Blantyre, on February 11 2019.

Co-accused Thomas Wilson, 26, was found not guilty of murdering Mr Lyko.

Owen was further convicted of being part of the vets shooting of Bennett.

It is believed that the gang are linked to notorious brothers Barry and James Gillespie whose crime network once spanned the globe.

Former Partick Thistle youth player Harvey was caged in 2007 for nine years as a teenager for a savage knife attack on Thomas McCairns.

The hitman was described to a court as being an "enforcer" and "top dog" while "subservient" Guthrie did his bidding.

Judge Lord Clark told the trio: "By the verdict of the jury, you have been convicted of very serious offences."

Harvey did not attend the verdict due to ill health however the judge stated: "He can be made aware that the sentence for murder is fixed by life imprisonment."

Owen was also told by the judge to expect life behind bars.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Mr More owed a drug debt of £100,000.

He was repeatedly visited on the run up to his murder by Neil Anderson who was later given a life sentence for his involvement in the killing.

Guthrie and Harvey went on a reconnaissance mission of the scene the night before dad Mr More was murdered.

The Skoda getaway car was spotted near Mr More's home round 10pm. Harvey's phone was stated to have been turned off at the time.

Guthrie's phone later made a call for a taxi from his house to Maryhill where Harvey's girlfriend Karlie Montgomery was living at the time.

The next day Mr More was lured from his home by Anderson where they had a brief conversation.

The Skoda then pulled up Covered up gunman Harvey emerged from the car.

Harvey blasted Mr More nine times to his head and body before he ran back inside the vehicle and fled the scene.

The Skoda was found burnt out later that night.

Harvey and Guthrie's associate Scott Brown gave vital evidence at the trial which helped convict the men.

He claimed he by Guthrie to follow the Skoda to a farm in Baldernock, East Dunbartonshire, where it was set of fire.

He then drove the pair to a property and they went off into another room before Mr Brown left.

Guthrie at the time of the shooting was using a phone which belonged to his dad which was later seized by police.

On hearing this, Guthrie was noted to say to his dad: "Everyone is f***ed - Barry, Barry's bird."

Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy said in her closing speech: "Harvey was a cold blooded killer carrying out a job or hit for payment which went to his house and a holiday to Krakow with his girlfriend."

It was stated that Harvey paid £200 for the flights which was suggested was "proceeds" from the murder.

Miss Glancy added: "There was funding of Turkey teeth acquired by Harvey. The Crown say this is additional expenditure which arises from the payment for the murder of Mr More which took place a few weeks before."

Guthrie was earlier involved in the attempted murder of solicitor Joseph Shields yards from his city centre office.

Mr Shields defended a Scots crime gang headed by David Sell who was caged for 16 years in 2018 for an abduction and torture of drug dealer Robert Allan.

Miss Glancy said: "Thomas Guthrie carried out this cowardly unprovoked assault on Mr Shields.

"We know from CCTV the attacker was waiting for some time for Mr Shields to emerge from his office at the end of the day.

"The injuries sustained by Mr Shields were significant - he had multiple injuries and required medical treatment.

"He had a cut from his ear to the corner of his mouth and another to the right temple which needed 10 stitches.

"He had a cut on his right cheek and defensive injuries to his hands as he tried to protect his face - he also had slashes to his back."

Mr Shields was helped back into his office by witness and colleague John McGuire who rang 999 for help.

The advocate depute added that there was an obvious danger to his life had he not received medical treatment.

The getaway vehicle used in the murder bid was found burnt out in the same location used to set fire to the car used in the Mr More murder.

Drug dealer and dog breeder Bennett was shot once on the head as he was sat in his van outside a vets in Rutherglen.

Another reconnaissance mission of the area took place in the lead up to the attempted murder.

Phone numbers relating to Harvey and Owen hit cell sites which were in key areas including the vets.

Guthrie meantime failed to attend work on the day of the shooting and his phone was turned off.

Miss Glancy referred to the evidence of Miss Montgomery's brother David Munro who gave Harvey an alibi that they watched a Celtic match together the night before.

The depute stated: "This would not have effected him during the reconnaissance."

CCTV of the incident showed Bennett pulling into a parking space in his van and was joined by another vehicle beside it.

Shooter Harvey then emerged and was seen to point the firearm at Bennett's vehicle.

A joint minute of agreed evidence said: "Bennett was found to have sustained a single gun shot wound to the left side of his face.

"The bullet entered his jaw, passed through his teeth and tongue and lodged in his neck."

It was stated that the bullet cut Bennett's tongue and his injuries required stitches.

Bennett was seen to be able to flee the scene in his van immediately after the shooting.

Miss Glancy said: "He was sitting waiting for something or someone. What takes place is a pre-planned attempt at an execution.

"The Crown have established beyond reasonable doubt that this was committed by Guthrie, Harvey and Owen acting together - each had a role to play.

"Harvey was the gun man when he acted in concert with Guthrie as he did in the Gary More murder. Both acted in concert with Owen."

After the shooting, Harvey and Miss Montgomery went to Australia with flights costing £1,000.

Miss Glancy said: "This is a significant sum to be spent on a holiday for someone without legitimate income."

Bennett was locked up for four years and eight months in 2022 after he pleaded guilty to being involved in serious organised crime and the supply of controlled drugs.

Polish national Mr Lyko was murdered and left in a burning car which Miss Glancy stated was related to "drugs and drug debt."

Mr Lyko told his cousin that he was to return to Scotland to be set up with a job in Valencia to work off the debt.

A Mercedes GLE vehicle was stolen in Edinburgh meantime which was later used in the murder of Mr Lyko.

Mr Lyko in his own Mercedes was picked up by the GLE vehicle in Cambuslang Lanarkshire, around 7.30pm on the night of his murder.

Mr Lyko was then driven to Blantyre, Lanarkshire, where he met his fate.

Miss Glancy said: "11 minutes later the car was ignited. Mr Lyko was shot once in the vehicle of the vehicle that was recovered."

The hearing was also told Owen was involved in the collection of the stolen GLE car from a Michael Heaps.

The car was parked at a location on East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, and cell site analysis showed that the vehicle was subject to check ups by Owen on the lead up to the shooting.

There was no cell site analysis linked to the pair at the location on the day of the murder. Miss Glancy suggested that an encrypted mobile phone was used.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month at the High Court in Glasgow.

All three men were remanded in custody meantime.

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