KILLED IN THE PARK FOR £20
Three guilty of Jason knife attack
Three thugs murdered a man in a busy park in a row over £20.
James Cook (51), son Jamie (28) and Peter Brown (49) pounced on Jason Mccue in front of horrified families and dog-walkers. The killing took place at lunchtime in John Hastie Park in Strathaven, in July 2017. Mr Mccue (43) was knifed three times – including once through the heart. The gang then fled to the Cook family ice cream shop near to the park. The Cooks and Brown now face life behind bars after they were this week 3) convicted of murder at the High Court in Glasgow. The trio will return to the dock later this month.
Jurors heard how Mr Mccue was attacked while in the park with a number of friends. The popular area was busy at the time with people enjoying the summer sunshine.
The court heard cash was owed to the killers.
Cook senior was described as being “in charge”.
Cook junior and Brown went after Mr Mccue’s friends James Adams, Colin Inglis and Thomas Sutherland.
But the trio soon turned on Mr Mccue, who ended up stricken on the ground.
Cook snr was heard shouting: “Kick his c*** in.”
Cook jnr was then clocked striking out in a “stabbing motion”.
Janet Guy recalled how she witnessed an attack as she walked with her grandchildren and dog. The 69 year(july
old said she saw one man with a knife and another with a hammer.
The retired hospital supervisor added: “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 of the park’, and we doubled back.”
The victim’s friend Mr A d recalled how he was initially chased by Cook jnr – known as Cookie.
He saw Cook snr and Brown attacking Mr Mccue and Sutherland before the son joined in. a m s
Mr Adams 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 thugs escaped to the family shop – Cookie Dough – close to the park
James Cook changed his top while the son told his mum he had been stabbed by an unknown man.
At the time, a statement from Jason’s family said they were “deeply saddened by his untimely death”. It added: “Jason was a much-loved son, brother, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed.”
Lord Matthews deferred sentence on the three killers for reports.
There was a man on the ground and he was being kicked from either side