Murdered man’s family ‘struggling’
Putin’s pals’ dirty cash targeted after attack
THE devastated family of a murdered Paisley man last night said they have been left “struggling” with his loss.
Stephen Wallace was found dead in a flat in the town’s Williamsburgh Court following a violent attack.
Police later launched a major murder probe in a bid to trace the 46-year-old victim’s killer.
Yesterday, Stephen’s sister Gemma paid tribute to him and vowed that her family won’t rest until those responsible for his senseless death is brought to justice.
She said: “My family and I are struggling with the loss of my brother. What kind of disgusting world do we live in?”
Stephen, described as friendly, was found with extensive injuries shortly before 11am on Sunday.
Police have appealed for anyone with any information to come forward. THE number of people needing treatment after the deadly nerve agent attack has hit 21.
Intended targets of the toxin assassination attempt – Russian ex-Kremlin agent Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33 – are still fighting for their lives, alongside hero policeman detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, 38, who tried to save them.
As the affected toll soared, Britain was last night poised to smash Vladimir Putin’s network of gangster allies with cash and travel freezes.
Cut off from billions in assets and cash, and with visas restricted, the Russian president’s powerful Red Mafia supporters could turn against him during his election campaign.
As the race to find the suspected hit squad continued, police searched a maroon BMW, believed to belong to Skripal.
Under increasing pressure to respond, Home Secretary Amber Rudd yesterday threatened Russia with “quiet” retribution.
And a source said this meant tougher sanctions for Putin’s pals with interests in London and across Europe.
He said: “The way to hurt Putin is to cripple the ability of his wealthy friends to travel where they like, squeeze their finances and obliterate their jet set lifestyles.
“If they do that, the oligarchs could turn on Putin and destabilise his regime. He is more vulnerable than people think.”
In Salisbury, police sealed off the graves of Skripal’s late wife Lyudmila and son Alexander, visited by him and Yulia three days before the attack.
And a car belonging to a friend who collected Yulia from an unknown airport is being checked for poison.
A red bag was found near the scene of the attempted murder and taken away for analysis.
Skripal, who worked for Russian military intelligence before being “turned” by MI6, and his daughter were found unconscious on on a bench outside a shopping mall in Salisbury city centre.
One theory is that Skripal’s daughter had unwittingly brought back a contaminated gift from a trip to Moscow. A death squad is also suspected. All sources are convinced the attack was state-sponsored and ordered by Putin. Police are retracing Skripal and Julia’s steps for traces of the as yet unnamed nerve agent, which sources also believe point to Moscow’s involvement. DS Bailey, a married dad-oftwo, may have performed CPR on one of the Skripals at the scene.
His commanding officer Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said Nick was “sitting up” but receiving “a high level of treatment”.
Pritchard said: “He did his very best on that night. I’m massively proud.”
The attack on British soil may result in the expulsion of spies and diplomats.
But it’s understood UK authorities will also play on Putin’s fears of a coup. He was