Three gangsters jailed over brutal campaign of murder and violence
THREE members of a Scots gang have been locked up after a ruthless campaign of murder and violence.
Barry Harvey, Thomas Guthrie and Darren Owen were found guilty after a 12-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Harvey was convicted of gunning down gym boss Gary More, 32, at his home in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, on September 6, 2018. The ‘coldblooded killer’ was paid for the hit. The 35-year-old was also involved in a bid to murder drug dealer Scott Bennett, 43, who was shot outside a vets in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, on December 3 of that year.
Guthrie – already serving life for being the getaway driver in the killing of More – was convicted for his role in the attack on Bennett.
The 27-year-old was also found guilty of the brutal slashing in the attempted murder of lawyer Joe Shields, 68, outside his Glasgow office on July 19, 2018.
Owen, 23, was convicted of murdering Rafal Lyko, 36, over a ‘drug debt’. The Pole was shot dead and left in a burning car in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, on February 11, 2019.
Another man, Thomas Wilson, 26, was cleared over that murder.
Owen was also convicted of being involved in shooting Bennett. The gang has been linked to notorious brothers Barry and James Gillespie, whose crime network once spanned the globe. It is believed they were killed in Brazil in 2019.
Harvey was described as an ‘enforcer’ and ‘top dog’.
The court heard More owed a drug debt of £100,000.
Guthrie and Harvey acted together to target the victim. Harvey shot him nine times.
Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy said: ‘Harvey was a coldblooded killer carrying out a job or hit for payment.’
Guthrie was earlier involved in the attack on Mr Shields. Ms Glancy said: ‘He had a cut from his ear to his mouth.’
Bennett was shot in the face as he sat in a van. CCTV footage showed Harvey point a firearm at Bennett’s vehicle.
Ms Glancy said: ‘What takes place is a pre-planned attempt at an execution.’ Sentence was deferred until March. All three men were remanded.