Police searching for former boxer over Baillie murder
POLICE investigating the murder of a man who was attacked with his mother after an altercation in the street are searching for a former boxer.
Darren Johnstone, 31, has gone missing and Police Scotland said they were looking for him in connection with their inquiries into the death of James Baillie in Hamilton on July 23.
Mr Baillie, 41, died in Hairmyres Hospit a l , East Kilbride, three days after he and his 64-year-old mother were involved in a dispute with a group of people in Hamilton.
Mr Baillie, from Buchanan Crescent in Hamilton, suffered a serious head injury. His mother Edith suffered injuries to her head and an arm but she was released from hospital after treatment.
Police Scotland have appealed for information to help track down Johnstone, who is from Larkhall. They urged members of the public not to approach him but to contact police officers if they saw the 31-year-old.
In 2008, Johnstone was barred from 10 pubs in Larkhall after a series of allegations were made against the former boxer.
He has also previously been convicted of assaulting his former partner, attacking police and resisting arrest.
Johnstone is 5ft 9in, of athletic build and brown hair. He has a tattoo with the letters DJ on the left side of his neck.
Mr Baillie and his mother were attacked just yards from her home. After the incident on July 23, police initially launched an attempted murder investigation, carrying out door-todoor enquiries and making several appeals for information about the attack.
Following Mr Baillie’s death, the inquiry became a murder investigation.
Police Scotland said that Johnstone’s whereabouts “are unknown”.
A spokesman added: “Darren Johnstone, 31, from Larkhall in South Lanarkshire is currently being sought by Police Scotland in connection with their inquiries into the murder of James Baillie in Hamilton on 23 July 2013.
“Anyone who recognises Mr Johnstone is asked not to approach him, but to contact