THUGS FACE LIFE FOR MURDER OVER £20
3 killers targeted victim in busy park
BY ASHLIE McANALLY THREE thugs were convicted yesterday of murdering a man in a busy park in a row over £20.
James Cook, 51, his son Jamie Cook, 28, and Peter Brown, 49, pounced on Jason McCue in front of horrified families and dog walkers. The men now face life behind bars.
The killing happened at lunchtime in John Hastie Park in Strathaven, Lanarkshire, last July.
Jason, 43, was knifed three times – including once through the heart.
The gang then fled to the Cook family’s ice cream shop, Cookie Dough, near the park.
Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow were told Jason was set upon while in the park with a number of friends.
The area was busy at the time with people enjoying the summer sunshine.
The court heard cash was owed to the killers. Cook snr was described as being “in charge”.
Cook jnr and Brown also went after Jason’s friends James Adams, Colin Inglis and Thomas Sutherland.
But the three attackers soon turned on Jason, who ended up on the ground.
Cook snr was heard shouting: “Kick his c*** in.”
His son, known as Cookie, was then seen striking out in a “stabbing motion”.
Witness Janet Guy said she was walking in the park with her grandchildren and dog when she spotted a man with a knife and another with a hammer.
The retired hospital supervisor, 69, said: “I thought at first they were mucking about but then realised it was more serious.
“There was a man on the ground and he was being kicked from either side.
“I panicked a bit and thought, ‘I’ve got two grandchildren here, I’ve got to get them out the park.’”
Jason’s friend James said he saw the men attacking the victim and their pal Thomas.
He told police: “I didn’t see Jason move again.
“I definitely saw all three of them – Cookie, his dad and Peter – kicking and jumping on Jason and Tam’s head.”
The trio will return to the dock later this month after Lord Matthews deferred sentencing for reports.