Two brothers guilty of killing a man in Airdrie

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Michael Smith (31) and Daniel Smith (22) were found guilty of killing Colin MacDonald.

Michael was found guilty of murder and his brother, Daniel was found guilty of culpable homicide.

Both men subjected their victim to a horrendous attack, after abducting him from his home in Frew Street, Airdrie on Monday, 19 August, in 2019.

Mr MacDonald was dumped by the Smith’s outside a house in Rankin Crescent, in Greengairs before he was taken to Monklands Hospital.  He suffered broken bones and significant injuries. He was also forced to ingest diesel fuel. He died the following day.

A murder investigation was launched with experienced detectives from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team taking on the inquiry.

Following extensive enquiries and painstaking police work, officers from the MIT arrested Michael Smith in October, 2019.  His brother, Daniel, was later arrested in December and both men were charged in connection with the death of Colin MacDonald.

Detective Superintendent Alan Sommerville said:  “Colin’s family, throughout this whole time, has shown courage, strength and resilience.  His children have to live the rest of their lives without the love and support of their father. Nothing will ever bring their father back but I hope these convictions offer them some sort of comfort knowing justice has been done.

“The level of callous and calculated brutality used in the commission of this crime was abhorrent and it is right that these two men have been held to account for this horrendous crime. The community is undoubtedly now safer without them in it.”

Both men will be sentenced at a later date.