Seven suspects deny conspiring together in prison murder bid

SEVEN suspects have denied conspiring together to murder a man and others. Robert Warnock, 25, Craig McFarlane, 25, Brendan O’Donnell, 23, Drew Darling, 28, Kieran McAnally, 25, Cain Carr, 22, and Lee Heron, 24, are accused of engaging in criminal conduct to “assault, endanger life, murder and to cause serious damage to the property of relatives and associates of Leonard Cole junior.

Prosecutors state the conspiracy took place between July and October 2020 at various addresses in Shotts Prison, pictured, North Lanarkshire and Greenock, Renfrewshire.

This allegedly included a petrol bomb attack on a house which saw the suspect accused of carrying it out kill himself as a result.

It is claimed this took place after Warnock’s now deceased brother Reece had allegedly been assaulted by Mr Cole and an Andrew Sutherland on August 27, 2019.

The charge states that the conspiracy included meetings, conversations, telephone calls and social media messages.

Individuals and property were also allegedly targeted by the group. It is stated that there was recruitment and attempts to recruit others to carry out the criminal conduct.

Money was also allegedly offered to now deceased George Miller to carry out the criminal conduct.

Allegations state there was discussion of the acquisition of firearms and the shooting of Mr Cole, Kieran Murphy and others while further people were alleged to have been threatened with violence.

The charge also claims that Leonard Cole senior and Rosaleen Sutherland were subjected to a murder bid on July 13, 2020 on a street in Greenock.

It is stated petrol bombs were thrown at a property which caused a fire which endangered the lives of the pair who were inside.

Further claims include supplying Mr Miller with cocaine and instructing him to set fire to another property in Greenock on September 14, 2020.

Mr Miller is alleged to have poured petrol on the door as well as through the letter box and set it on fire.

Mr Miller is said to have also subsequently set himself on fire as it ignited inside the property and he died as a result.

The lives of three people inside, including a six-year-old girl were said to have their lives in danger.

Warnock and McFarlane face a separate charge of directing Darling, O’Donnell, Mr Miller, McAnally Carr, Herron and others to commit conspiracy, assault and murder.

It is alleged this took place in the form of meetings, conversations, calls, texts and social media messages.

Prosecutors state this was done to assault, endanger life, murder and cause serious damage to the property of relatives and associates of Mr Cole junior and eight others.

McFarlane, O’Donnell and Darling are also on a separate charge of having petrol bombs in their possession on July 13, 2020, in Greenock.

McAnally and Carr have a similar charge relating to an alleged incident on September 19, 2020 at another address in Greenock.

Warnock faces a final charge of instructing McFarlane to pay money to Darling who had been charged with attempting to murder Mr Cole senior and Miss Sutherland.

It is claimed this was done so Darling would not identify McFarlane, or incriminate him with intent to pervert the course of justice and attempt to pervert the course of justice.

The seven men, who did not appear, pleaded not guilty at the High Court in Glasgow.