Man jailed for killing former gangland enforcer

A MAN has been jailed for life for the murder of a former gangland enforcer.

Graham Higgins, 28, knifed, kicked and stamped to death Albert McDonald in Riddrie, Glasgow, last June.

McDonald, 58, had reportedly been an associate of the once-feared underworld figure Martin Hamilton.

The death came during a violent day-long crime-spree as Higgins attacked three other men, attempting to murder one.

Higgins had denied the killing but a jury yesterday found him guilty following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Lord Armstrong ordered he serve a minimum of 21 years in jail.

The jury was told how McDonald was murdered shortly after leaving the Snug Bar near his home in the city’s Duke Street on June 15 last year. He was seen getting into a car being driven by a person wearing a green top. Higgins had been seen earlier that night wearing a Stone Island hoodie matching that colour.

By 9.22pm – less than 20 minutes after leaving the pub – a 999 call was made after McDonald was discovered dying in nearby Cumbernauld Road. His death was found to have been as a result of “blunt-force injuries of the abdomen”.

Before the murder, Higgins attacked Richard Gachagan in Townhead and later turned on Joseph McLean in the nearby Royston area.

After the murder, Higgins went on to attack Paul McPhail with a glass at a pub in Baillieston.

Higgins was yesterday convicted of murder, the attempted murder of Mr McLean and assaulting Mr Gachagan. He had earlier pled guilty to the assault of Mr McPhail.