Thug cleared of murder by not proven convicted of violent attack

The man cleared of killing Scott French at a home in Airdrie last year has admitted two brutal attacks – one involving a knife.

Now the family of Scott have slammed the not proven verdict of Ryan Shields, calling for the option to jurors to be abolished.

Shields walked free from court after being accused of stabbing to death his pal and young father, after telling a jury he acted in self defence.

But the 25-year-old has now admitted the brutal stabbing of another man and a second jail attack which left a prisoner bloodied.

Jailing Shields for the latest offence last week, a sheriff said he had a“formidable”and “appalling”record for“crimes of violence”.

Now the sister of 27-year-old Scott – known as Frenchy – said the convictions have only strengthened her family’s resolve to fight for an end to the controversial not proven verdict, which Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to review. Emma French, 23, said:

“This is a perfect example as to why the not proven verdict should be abolished. It just reinforces the issues with not proven.

“Shields has been convicted of two violent crimes, one with a knife, within months of being cleared of murder.

“It raises a lot of questions and doubt over the not proven verdict. We want justice for Scott.”

Shields and co-accused Holli Allison, 22, had been charged

with murdering Scott at their home in Airdrie in April last year.

Prosecutors claimed dad-oftwo Scott was struck with a“blunt object”and then repeatedly struck with a knife or knives.

He died when a vital vein was hit in his leg.

Shields told jurors it was a“life or death”situation when Scott came“charging”at him with a knife as he was making a cup of tea late at night.

Jurors returned a not proven verdict against Shields at the High Court in Glasgow. The case against Allison was thrown out by a judge after submissions by her legal team during the trial.

We can now reveal that just six weeks after being acquitted, Shields admitted repeatedly stabbing a man, leaving him severely injured and permanently disfigured.

He attacked John Duncan at a property in Salsburgh in February 2015, but admitted the charge at Airdrie Sheriff Court last month.

He had been originally charged with endangering the victim’s life, but the Crown accepted a guilty plea to an amended charge and he will be sentenced in September.

And last Thursday Shields, of Chapelhall, was sentenced to four months in prison after admitting attacking a fellow inmate at Barlinnie Prison in August last year.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard he punched Hong He on the head after a row broke out in the exercise yard.

Sheriff Lindsay Wood told the court Shields had“a formidable record for crimes of violence”.

The sheriff said:“given your very long and appalling record for crimes of violence, I consider there is no other option available other than a period of imprisonment.”

Just days after Shields was cleared of Scott ’s murder, Emma joined forces with other victims’ families to campaign for an end to the not proven verdict.

It came after the First Minister called for a review of the controversial option open to jurors in Scotland’s legal system and was backed by opposition party leaders.

Emma said she feels the verdict can be a“cop out”for jurors in complex cases.

She said:“juries have a duty to make the difficult decision between guilty or not guilty.

“Otherwise families just like ours are left hanging without justice.

“If fresh information comes to light in Scott’s case I would like to see this back in court.”

Stabbed Scott French

Attack Ryan Shields