Three men have been convicted following a number of serious incidents across the west of Scotland
Three men have been convicted following a number of serious incidents across the west of Scotland, including the murders of Gary More and Rafal Lyko.
Barry Harvey (35), Thomas Guthrie (28) and Darren Owen (23) all appeared in the High Court in Glasgow today, Tuesday, 20 February, 2024, following a trial which lasted 15 weeks.
Barry Harvey was found guilty of the murder of Gary More. Two other men had already been convicted for their involvement in the murder following a trial in 2022. Gary was shot outside his house in Airdrie on 6 September 2018.
Thomas Guthrie was found guilty for the attempted murder of a 63-year-old man in Carlton Place, Glasgow on 19 July 2018.
In the same trial Barry Harvey, Thomas Guthrie and Darren Owen were all found guilty of the attempted murder of a 37-year-old man outside a veterinary practice in Cathkin on 3 December 2018.
Darren Owen was also found guilty of the murder of Rafal Lyko. Rafal was shot in the head in Greenhall Park in Blantyre, and then found within a car that had been set on fire on 11 February 2019.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick said:
“Each of these serious incidents were challenging enquiries to work on individually and our officers were meticulous in going through every detail in what was an incredibly protracted investigation.
“By using all means available to us, and by the enquiry teams working independently, but in tandem to piece together the wider picture, we were able to find a pattern of behaviour which ultimately culminated in today's convictions.
“The violence involved in each of these cases, which resulted in the death of two men, is absolutely senseless. Although these were all targeted attacks, these individuals showed no regard for the communities and families affected.
“Throughout this investigation we have worked closely with the Crown Office on what was a very unique set of circumstances which brought these crimes together into one trial.
“I believe these convictions show those intent on committing crime that no matter how much preparation you make, how many steps you take to frustrate an investigation, or how long it has been since the crime has been committed, that we will not give up.”
Following the verdict Gary More's father, Lindsay More and his wife Margaret said:
“We would like to thank Police Scotland and everyone who has worked so hard to secure this conviction today. Gary is missed every day. These people have robbed him and us of our future, blowing our family apart. Life will never be the same again.
“We will be forever grateful for the support that we have received from the police and court liaison, for their unwavering understanding and support, and seeing us through the most devastating time of our lives.
"Nothing will bring Gary back, or mend the devastation to the family, but we take comfort now that justice has been served.”
Gary's mother Angela and sister Lynsey said:
“Gary was a much-loved Dad to two young children, he was a son, a brother, a nephew, an uncle and a friend to many. He will be remembered by us every day - as a gentle giant with the best laugh, he loved the gym, loved listening to his favourite songs on repeat but most importantly loved his family, and was loved in return by them.
“Those responsible for his death will now face the consequences of their actions, but what they don’t realise, or care about, is that we will also suffer from their actions for the rest of our lives too.
“We would like to thank our key workers from Victim Support Scotland who have and continue to help and support us. Also, our dedicated VIA officer who has supported us immeasurably through both trials.
“We would also like to say a massive thank you to Police Scotland, the Advocate Deputes and the prosecution team who have worked relentlessly and with the highest levels of professionalism to ensure Gary’s killers were held to account for his murder.”
