A Dark City
Delve into the dark heart of Glasgow, a city with history steeped in mystery and violence. A Dark City takes you behind the headlines to explore the city's most notorious murders - stories that shocked the nation, shattered communities and left scars that still linger. From cold blooded killers to infamous gangland slayings, we uncover the chilling details, the victims stories and the impact on Glasgow's streets.
A Dark City
Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll
The brutal assassination of Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll would forever change Glasgow's criminal landscape. On a cold January day in 2010, two masked gunmen approached an Audi in an Asda car park and, in just 25 seconds, fired 13 bullets that ended the life of one of Scotland's most feared criminals.
What transforms a young boy from Milton estate into a notorious enforcer capable of striking terror into the hearts of Glasgow's gangland? Carroll's journey from petty thief to feared lieutenant of the Daniel crime family represents the dark allure of power and wealth in communities ravaged by poverty and limited opportunities. By his mid-twenties, he commanded respect and fear in equal measure, becoming the brutal enforcer behind a series of "alien abductions" - horrific kidnappings where rivals were tortured with blowtorches, boiling water, and power tools.
The murder investigation reveals the complex web of Glasgow's organized crime networks and the deadly feud between the Daniel and Lyons gangs that had resulted in numerous shootings, stabbings, and arson attacks across the city. After an exhaustive investigation hampered by what police described as a "wall of silence," authorities finally secured a conviction against William Patterson, who received a life sentence with a minimum of 22 years. The case exposes not just the brutality of gangland violence, but also the devastating impact on families and communities caught in its crossfire.
As we examine this chilling tale of violence and retribution, we must confront uncomfortable questions about the social conditions that foster such criminality and the cyclical nature of poverty and crime. What drives young men toward violent paths, and how might society break these destructive patterns? Join us for this unflinching exploration of Glasgow's dark underbelly and the life and death of the man they called "Gerbil." Subscribe now and share your thoughts on this gripping true crime story that continues to haunt Scotland's largest city.
Welcome to A Dark City, the podcast that delves into the shadowy underbelly of Glasgow, a city with a storied past and a reputation for resilience. Here we uncover the chilling true stories of serious crimes that have left their mark on the city's history, from notorious gangland wars to unsolved mysteries. Join us as we explore the darker side of Glasgow and the people whose lives were forever changed by its crimes. Today, we will explore a chilling story that shocked Glasgow and garnered international attention the murder of Kevin Gerbil Carroll. This narrative encapsulates the dark underbelly of crime power and the harsh realities of life in one of Scotland's most impoverished regions. On January 13th 2010, kevin Carroll was brutally shot and killed in a brazen assault outside an Asda supermarket in Robroyston, glasgow. His demise transcended a personal tragedy, serving as a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of organised crime on the city at that juncture. However, who was Kevin Carroll and why did his death resonate so profoundly? Let us unravel the story, meticulously Born in Glasgow's Stobhill Hospital on August 24th 1980, only Carroll's mother, elizabeth, was named on his birth certificate. Gerbil and his older brother, david, were initially raised in Drumchapel, but the family relocated to the challenging Milton estate in the northern part of the city when Carol was 10 years old. The moniker that would subsequently become infamous was coined by a cousin after Kevin the Gerbil, a character from the television puppet series Roland Ratt. By the time he reached his teenage years, carol had garnered attention from the police and at the age of 19 he was incarcerated for three months due to car theft. However, by his mid-twenties his focus had shifted to a considerably more lucrative profession, a police source stated. By the age of 24, he had established himself as a prominent criminal figure in the northern region of Glasgow. He had established himself as a prominent criminal figure in the northern region of Glasgow. We were compelled to allocate substantial resources in an attempt to manage his activities, which included conducting armed operations based on the intelligence we were gathering by the time of his demise a few years later, carroll had attained the pinnacle of the city's underworld as a formidable enforcer for the Daniel family. To comprehend Kevin Carroll's story, we must examine the Daniels Organization Named after its leader, jamie Daniel. This group engaged in drug trafficking, armed robbery and other grave crimes. At its zenith, the Daniels Organization controlled a substantial portion of Glasgow's illicit drug trade, amassing wealth and power through violence and intimidation. Within the criminal underworld of Glasgow, jamie Daniel's most trusted lieutenants celebrated for their unwavering loyalty, propensity for force and ability to evade. The police encountered escalating tensions. Their ascendancy to power rendered them targets. Rival gangs perceived Carroll as a menace, intensifying the conflict between the Daniels organisation and other criminal factions. By the late 2000s, glasgow's criminal landscape had become volatile, with Kevin Carroll at the epicentre of this turmoil.
Speaker 1:On January 13th 2010, kevin Carroll's life tragically ended in a violent incident. He was seated in the rear passenger seat of an Audi RS4 outside an Asda supermarket in Robreuston when two masked assailants approached the vehicle and opened fire. Carroll was shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The attack was swift and meticulously planned. Witnesses reported witnessing the gunmen flee in a stolen Volkswagen Golf, which was subsequently discovered abandoned and severely damaged.
Speaker 1:The audacity of the killing perpetrated in broad daylight within a bustling public area. Audacity of the killing perpetrated in broad daylight within a bustling public area caused widespread shock and dismay within the community. The police promptly identified the murder as a targeted assassination, likely orchestrated by a rival crime organisation. However, the identity of the perpetrator and the motive behind the killing remain elusive. Numerous theories circulate, yet the truth remains concealed within. The secrecy of killing remain elusive. Numerous theories circulate, yet the truth remains concealed within the secrecy of Glasgow's criminal underworld.
Speaker 1:The investigation into Kevin Carroll's murder stands as one of the most extensive and intricate in Glasgow's recent criminal history. Detectives encountered numerous challenges, including a lack of cooperation from witnesses and the pervasive culture of silence surrounding organised crime. The investigation revealed the extent of Glasgow's organised crime problem, exposing the networks of violence, corruption and fear that facilitated the growth of groups such as the Daniels Organisation. However, it also highlighted the courage of those who stood against these criminals, including police officers, community leaders and ordinary citizens who refused to be intimidated. Kevin Carroll's murder had a profound impact on him, his family, his community and the city of Glasgow as a whole. As a father, his death left his children bereft of a parent. It also created a vacuum in the criminal underworld, igniting a power struggle that resulted in further violence. For the residents of Possil Park and other deprived areas, carol's story served as a grim reminder of the cyclical nature of poverty and crime that ensnared numerous young individuals. It raised pertinent questions regarding the societal role in addressing these issues, questions that continue to be debated in contemporary times.
Speaker 1:As we reflect on the life and demise of Kevin Carroll, it is imperative to consider the overarching themes of justice and redemption. Carroll's story can be interpreted as both a cautionary narrative and a call to action. It prompts us to contemplate the mechanisms by which we can break the cycle of crime and establish a society where every individual is afforded the opportunity for flourishing. It is simplistic to dismiss individuals such as Kevin Carroll as irredeemable, but the reality is more complex. Numerous individuals who engage in criminal activities do so because they perceive no viable alternatives. By addressing the root causes poverty, inadequate education and social disparities we can establish a society where narratives akin to Carroll's become exceptional rather than the norm. The life and demise of Kevin Carroll serve as a poignant reminder of the intricacies of crime and the human toll of violence. However, they also signify the indomitable spirit of communities and the transformative potential of change.
Speaker 1:As with most organised crime organisations, the police have intelligence of known associates and rival gangs, and it didn't take long for the investigation to turn the main suspect. The police believed they had enough evidence to pinpoint the crime to Ross Monaghan, a known adversary. Monaghan was arrested and charged with the murder. At the subsequent trial, the court heard the deceased described as a nutcase and a prominent figure in Glasgow's criminal underworld. Retired police officer George Gallagher testified at the High Court in Glasgow that Mr Carroll was a high-ranking member of the drug-dealing organisation. The 54-year-old was providing evidence at the trial of Ross Monaghan. The 30-year-old was providing evidence at the trial of Ross Monaghan. The 30-year-old denies murdering Mr Carroll, who was 29, at the Asda car park in Robroyston, glasgow, on January 13, 2010.
Speaker 1:Mr Gallagher informed the court that he had observed Mr Carroll in the passenger seat of an Audi A3 car at Annesland Cross, glasgow several days prior to his demise. He stated that he recognised him because for the last seven years of his 30-year police service he had been involved with the Drugs and Surveillance Unit. Mr Gallagher further added Mr Carroll had been the subject of several operations. The former police officer also informed Advocate Deputy Yain McSporran, the prosecuting counsel, that he had observed a Volkswagen Golf in the vicinity being driven erratically, reminiscent of a scene from a Hollywood movie. He noted a portion of the car's registration, which was 55 EZZ.
Speaker 1:During cross-examination by defence QC Derek Ogg, mr Gallagher stated that both vehicles were in front of him, but he was unable to ascertain their relative positions. Mr Ogg inquired what was the reputation of the individual known as the gerbil. Were you involved in drug surveillance? Mr Gallagher responded I was aware of him. He exhibited a highly erratic and unstable behaviour. I would presume that his associates in the drug trade would not have been comfortable dealing with him. He possessed a generally unpleasant disposition. Mr Ogg then suggested that individuals might have expressed fear of being abducted by the gerbil. Mr Gallagher affirmed His criminal activity reached a level of severity. There is no doubt about it. Mr Ogg further inquired if other drug dealers have corroborated their apprehension of the gerbil. Does this provide any insight into his actions? Mr Gallagher acknowledged the possibility of such a scenario. Mr Ogg then asked if Mr Carroll held a prominent position within the drug trade in Glasgow, to which Mr Gallagher responded yes, he held a significant position. The former police officer was subsequently asked if Mr Carroll engaged in violent behaviour towards those with whom he had conflicts, to which he declined to provide an honest response.
Speaker 1:The jury was informed that Mr Carroll was seated in the rear passenger compartment of a three-door Audi A3 when he was tragically shot and killed, although Mr Gallagher claimed to have seen him in the front passenger seat ofa similar car some days earlier. Mr Ogg then inquired Were you aware that he had been shot on previous occasions. Mr Gallagher responded I was not aware of that. The trial subsequently heard testimony from 26-year-old Stephen Glenn, who asserted that he witnessed two individuals shooting Mr Carroll. Mr Glenn disclosed that he had met with Mr Carroll minutes prior to the incident. He informed Mr McSporran that he departed from Mr Carroll and his two associates and proceeded back to the location of his vehicle. Mr Carroll, he stated, returned with his two colleagues to the black Audi A3 from which he had arrived. Mr Glenn explained I was reversing back when I perceived three or four gunshots. I was reversing back when I perceived three or four gunshots. Initially I disregarded the initial shots. He further mentioned that when he glanced towards Mr Carroll's car, a Volkswagen Golf was parked in front of it, obstructing its path. Mr Glenn stated I observed two individuals firing. One was positioned on the driver's side while the other was on the passenger side. My primary concern was escaping, but it appeared that I had forgotten the procedure for exiting the car park. He indicated that the Golf drove past him at high speed, prompting him to depart Earlier.
Speaker 1:Mr Glenn informed the jury that he had received a phone call from Mr Carroll the night before demanding to meet him. Mr Glenn explained that he had selected the time 12.30, and the venue Asda Car Park as he desired to meet in a location with a high concentration of people. He informed Mr McSporran that he had initially attempted to disregard Mr Carroll's request to meet and had refrained from answering subsequent calls and texts. However, he acknowledged that his demeanour changed when he awoke to discover a text message from Mr Carol stating your manners are lacking. If you do not contact me today, I will come to your house and kick the door in. Mr Glenn expressed apprehension regarding the potential consequences and informed Mr Carroll that he would meet him at the cash machines located at the front of Asda in Robruyston. He added this location provided me with a sense of safety as it was a busy area.
Speaker 1:In the court proceedings, the defendant asserted that a companion had also visited the supermarket in a taxi and intended to contact assistants if any adverse events occurred to Mr Glenn. The jury was informed that approximately two months prior to the shooting, mr Glenn was engaged in a small-scale drug dealing operation and was employed by Alan Johnston. Mr Glenn claimed that by January 2010, he had ceased all employment. The court was presented with evidence that when Mr Glenn arrived at the supermarket just before 12.30pm there was no sign of Mr Carroll. He arrived after 1pm and, according to Mr Glenn, stated you are now working for me. Following a brief discussion, they parted ways and Mr Glenn subsequently heard the sound of gunfire. Mr McSporran inquired whether Mr Glenn had any involvement in the shooting of Mr Carroll, to which he responded negatively. Earlier the jury was presented with photographs of the crime scene. Bullets and cartridges were discovered in proximity to Mr Carroll's vehicle and the rear side windows had been shattered. Mr Carroll's vehicle and the rear side windows had been shattered. The jury was also shown photographs of the bullet, damaged interior of the car and a folder containing a bullet.
Speaker 1:It is alleged that, while masked and in the company of others, Mr Monaghan murdered Mr Carroll by repeatedly discharging loaded handguns at him, resulting in gunshot wounds to the head and body. Mr Monaghan is additionally accused, while acting with others, of attempting to obstruct the legal process by disposing of a revolver, pistol and ammunition within undergrowth in Coatbridge and Airdrie, both located in North Lanarkshire. Furthermore, it is claimed that a vehicle bearing false number plates YF55EZZ was set ablaze. Mr Monaghan is also facing a multitude of firearms charges. He vehemently denies all the charges against him and has filed a special defense of incrimination alleging that Mr X, whose identity is withheld for legal reasons, and seven other individuals were involved in the incident.
Speaker 1:During the court case, we were given an insight to workings of Carroll and his associates. At the time, scotland's most notorious drug gang was causing widespread terror within the criminal underworld through a series of brutal kidnappings. The police suspected Kevin Carroll as the ringleader of this criminal organisation. The gang is accused of abducting and torturing rivals in exchange for monetary compensation, illicit drugs and firearms. The perpetrators of these crimes have been dubbed the Alien Abduction Gang due to the harrowing accounts of their traumatised victims, who report experiencing amnesia regarding their ordeal. A source has disclosed that victims are typically abducted from their residences during the night and subsequently found wandering the streets partially clothed the following morning. They subsequently report to the police that they have no recollection of the events that transpired.
Speaker 1:An investigation conducted by the Sunday Mail has revealed that Carroll, who had been subjected to two gunshot wounds in attempted attacks, and his associates have been implicated in at least a dozen similar incidents across Glasgow, edinburgh, lanarkshire and Rainfrewshire. Victims, often affiliated with rival gangs, are abducted from their homes at gunpoint by the criminal organisation posing as armed police officers. Prior to being taken to safe houses or abandoned buildings, they are subjected to horrific physical and mental torture with hoods placed over their heads. One Glasgow victim targeted for possessing a stolen army firearm was threatened with a blowtorch and a handgun. Power tools have also been employed in other attacks. An unsuspecting neighbour of victim Paul Fleming in High Blantyre, lanarkshire, narrowly escaped injury after the gang attempted to shoot him when he attempted to intervene. There have been additional cases in Coatbridge and Greenock, and a plot was thwarted when the gang attempted to lure two men to an address in Cumbernauld. One kidnap victim, who has chosen not to cooperate with the police, expressed their concerns to the Sunday Mail, stating Durable appears to believe that individuals who do not work for him will not be willing to assist others. He is reportedly in possession of firearms on five out of seven days and it is perplexing why the police have not taken action against him. The severity of the violence, disregard for public safety and the use of firearms and torture are a significant concern for Strathclyde Police, who are frustrated by the victim's lack of cooperation.
Speaker 1:The attacks being linked to the gang include two incidents in Edinburgh, one of which resulted in the robbery of four kilograms of cocaine by a dealer In Glasgow, another dealer was involved in a drug purchase when a criminal gang stole four kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately £50,000, without resorting to violence, the gang simply uttered the words You're taxed, you bam. In another incident, a member of the gang posed as a postal worker to gain access to a residence before another three accomplices burst in. The gang then threw a kettle of boiling water over the victim. In Balornock, glasgow, another dealer was robbed of £30,000. He was held captive in a cupboard for two days and subjected to threats involving syringes. To threats involving syringes.
Speaker 1:Underworld figures fearing their own inclusion on the hit list are expressing their discontent regarding the apparent lack of action taken against Carol, affectionately known as Gerbil. Carol has connections to millionaire crime figure Jamie Daniel and has been at the centre of Scotland's most violent gangland feud between the rival Daniel and Lions gangs. In 2006, members of the Daniel clan, including Raymond Anderson Sr and James MacDonald, were sentenced to 35 years each for the murder of Michael Lyons. In February 2008, carol and Raymond Anderson Jr were apprehended in connection with the abduction of Christopher Logan from a flat in Springburn, glasgow. The gang threatened Logan with a blowtorch before abandoning him in the street. They also stole a Heckler and Koch firearm and ammunition that had previously been taken from the army. However, logan, who was subsequently sentenced to imprisonment for storing the weapon and drugs, was unable to identify Carroll and Anderson during an identification parade. Despite this, carroll was convicted after being found in possession of the ammunition.
Speaker 1:According to a criminal source, the majority of the targets are small-time dealers affiliated with other gangs, particularly the Lions organization. Gerbil's objective was to control the distribution and location of cocaine. Occasionally, attacks were motivated by other factors, such as obtaining the army firearm or targeting individuals with valuable information or substantial financial resources. Carroll was apprehended by police investigating the triple shooting that resulted in the fatal shooting of Michael Lyons. He subsequently faced four charges related to the stolen army weapons and ammunition, but was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting only one charge. Due to a reporting ban imposed during the trial, details of the case have been previously undisclosed.
Speaker 1:Carroll had been a pivotal figure in the Daniel versus Lyons feud, which has resulted in numerous shootings, stabbing incidents and arson attacks. Six years before, he was shot just 10 days prior to the shooting of Johnny Lyons, aged 43. Three years later, carroll survived a second shooting when he and his associate Ross Sherlock were gunned down in Ockynairn, bishopbriggs. Carroll's rivalry with the Lyons clan extended back to his school days, during which he was subjected to bullying by Stephen Lyons and his brother, edward Jr. However, during this period, he also forged friendships with the sons of crime boss Jamie Daniel, robert Daniel and Francis Fraggle Green, who became his closest associates. The final individual to engage in business with Gerbil encapsulated the gangster's formidable reputation. During the Monaghan trial, drug dealer Stephen Glenn, whom Carroll had scheduled to meet on the day of his shooting, testified before the jury. No one in the entire city of Glasgow would dare to confront him. Gerbil presented a significant challenge to law enforcement and the esteemed Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. The source further emphasised Carroll was an exceptionally rapid ascension. Further emphasised, carroll was an exceptionally rapid ascension.
Speaker 1:In the protracted conflict between the Lyons and Daniel clans, gerbil stood out as the most unpredictable element. His conduct heightened tensions and he possessed the ability to precipitate chaos. Undoubtedly he was one of Scotland's most formidable criminals and his demise brought a sense of relief to many. Gerbil was at the heart of the bloodshed that engulfed North Glasgow for over a decade, perpetrated by the rival Lions Gang. He had endured two gunshot wounds and was aware of the imminent threat to his life. The hit squad struck when Gerbil, who was characterised in court as paranoid and edgy, momentarily lowered his guard. According to our source, gerbil, who was characterised in court as paranoid and edgy, momentarily lowered his guard. According to our source, gerbil was meticulous in his business dealings, meticulously planning each operation with military precision. The key to his demise lay in the element of surprise. The fact that he arrived at the supermarket unarmed and without his bulletproof vest demonstrated a complete lack of expectation for any trouble.
Speaker 1:Former policeman George Gallagher corroborated Gerbil's involvement in reconnaissance during his tenure with the Drugs and Surveillance Unit. During the Monaghan trial, the retired officer was questioned about Carroll's reputation for his no-nonsense approach. Gallagher responded he was essentially a mentally unstable individual. I can only imagine that his fellow drug dealers would not have been comfortable collaborating with him. He was not a pleasant person. Drug dealer Glenn testified during the 2012 trial that Gerbil was a maniac driven by an insatiable desire for a larger share of the lucrative drugs trade. Glenn, who was recruited by Gerbil minutes before his execution and claimed to earn £250,000 annually from cocaine sales, was offered £10,000 per month by Carroll to work for him. Under cross-examination by Derek Ogg QC, representing Monaghan, glenn confirmed having heard accounts of Carroll's brutal tactics, including torturing, maiming and disfiguring individuals. However, when asked if he had heard of Carroll extracting people's tongues, glenn vehemently denied any such knowledge. Ogg pressed Glenn, inquiring whether Gerbil had exhibited signs of uncontrollable behaviour. Glenn responded he was a maniac In central Scotland.
Speaker 1:Gerbil Carroll was involved in a series of so-called alien abductions. Carroll employed a blowtorch and boiling water to inflict torture on his victims before stealing drugs, money and weapons from them. These victims became known as the Alien Abduction Gang because their traumatised accounts of the ordeal left them with no recollection of the events. Victims, often affiliated with rival gangs, were abducted from their homes at gunpoint by the mob posing as armed police. They were then hooded and taken to safe houses or disused buildings where they endured horrific physical and mental torture. Power tools were employed in other attacks. One dealer was engaged in a drug purchase when the mob stole four kilograms of cocaine worth up to £50,000 without resorting to violence. The only communication was the words You're taxed, you bam. In another incident, a gang member disguised as a postman gained access to a house before another three henchmen burst in. The mob threw a kettle of boiling water over the victim. A dealer in Ballornock, glasgow, was robbed of £30,000. He was confined to a cupboard for two days and subjected to threats with syringes.
Speaker 1:Carroll's most serious legal encounter occurred in 2004, when he was charged with attempted murder. He was accused of shooting John Madden, a friend of Eddie Lyon's senior, with an AK-47, but the case was subsequently dismissed. Carol's professional and personal lives were closely intertwined. His partner, kelly Green, is the daughter of mob boss Jamie Daniel and the sister of Fraggle. His closest associate, gerbil, and beauty therapist Kelly, 35, resided in Lennox Town and had two children together. He also became a stepfather to her son, rhys, 15, from a previous relationship. On the birth certificates of Connor, 11, and 6-year-old Beau, carol is listed as a car valet, despite his notoriety. Kelly described Carol as a loving partner and an exceptional father. She further stated I received a message from him prior to the incident. It simply read I love you. Subsequently, I received a phone call from one of my family members informing me that Kevin had been shot.
Speaker 1:The couple's £217,000 villa in Lennox Town, dunbartonshire, was subsequently seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Monaghan denies all the charges against him and has lodged a special defence of incrimination citing a nameless individual. For legal reasons, he has also incriminated seven other individuals. Evidence presented at the trial included photographs of the crime scene, including an image of an Audi car with shattered windows. The court also heard that the vehicle underwent a thorough examination.
Speaker 1:It is alleged that, while masked and in the company of others, monaghan murdered Mr Carroll on January 13, 2010, by repeatedly discharging loaded handguns at him. This resulted in Mr Carroll being shot in the head and body. Mr Monaghan is accused of, while acting in conjunction with others, attempting to circumvent the objectives of justice by disposing of a revolver, pistol and ammunition within undergrowth in Coatbridge and Airdrie, both in North Lanarkshire. Furthermore, it is alleged that a vehicle bearing false registration plates was set ablaze. Mr Monaghan is also facing a multitude of firearms-related charges. At the conclusion of the trial, monaghan was exonerated.
Speaker 1:The Crown lodged an intention to appeal, which prevented the judge's decision from being publicly disclosed. As he departed from the courtroom, mr Monaghan expressed it has been an arduous ordeal. I am relieved to have this matter resolved. I have consistently maintained my innocence. Trial Judge Lord Brailsford acquitted Mr Monaghan after hearing two days of legal argument. The father of one was also cleared of attempting to circumvent the objectives of justice by disposing of the two firearms used in the shooting and setting the getaway car ablaze on January 13, 2010.
Speaker 1:Under new legislation enacted following the world's end murder trial, the Crown had a 48-hour window to indicate whether it intended to proceed with the appeal. Should the Crown decide to appeal the case, it would have been heard before a panel of three judges at the High Court in Edinburgh. Several days after the Court ruling, the Crown made the decision no to appeal. The legislation governing these procedures came into force in March of that year. This is one of the earliest instances where the Crown has considered appealing a case. However, after consulting with Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, qc and Solicitor General Leslie Thompson, advocate Depute Iain Sporan, prosecuting, informed the Court that the Crown had no intention of appealing Acquitting Mr Monaghan. Lord Brailsford stated as you are aware, I acquitted you on Thursday and the Crown indicated that they may appeal my decision. This morning, the Crown informed us that they do not intend to appeal this matter. You are therefore free to depart.
Speaker 1:Mr Monaghan was acquitted after it was discovered that there was no evidence linking him to the Asda store at the time of the shooting. The trial also revealed that when the Crown alleged that the firearms were being disposed of and the getaway car was set ablaze, mr Monaghan, according to his mobile phone records, was 20 miles away at his residence. Defence QC Derek Ogg asserted there is no connection between the crime and Ross Monaghan. No one has seen him and no one has seen anyone resembling him. Nothing links him to ASDA. There is not a single piece of evidence.
Speaker 1:The sole evidence presented against Mr Monaghan during the trial was the detection of a minute quantity a tenth of a billionth of a gram of his DNA on the handle of one of the firearms used to kill Mr Carroll. The DNA of a laboratory technician who had never handled the firearm and was employed three floors above its storage location was also found in the sample analysed by forensic scientists, along with that of three unidentified individuals. Defence QC Derek Ogg remarked this incident involving the laboratory worker underscores the mobility of DNA and its potential for innocently transferring from one location to another. A single particle of firearms discharge residue, imperceptible to the naked eye, was discovered on a jacket seized during a raid of Mr Monaghan's Penalee residence in July 2010. However, this evidence was deemed inadmissible due to a subsequent admission by a firearms officer that he and his colleagues had attended a gun training exercise earlier that day, that he and his colleagues had attended a gun training exercise earlier that day wearing the same uniforms that would have been contaminated with firearms discharge residue. After consulting a forensic scientist, lord Brailsford ruled that the particle was scientifically insignificant and inadmissible. As evidence, he explained that the particle could have easily been transferred onto Mr Monaghan's jacket through secondary transfer from the firearms officer's clothing. Forensic expert Alison Collie, representing the Scottish Police Service Authority, testified during the hearing, which was conducted without the presence of a jury. She stated that a single particle was insufficient to draw any scientific conclusions. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that she had been requested to form her conclusion using the particle at the request of a detective superintendent involved in the investigation. The judge expressed his unease regarding her claim. The evidence pertaining to the particle found on Mr Monaghan's jacket was not presented to the jury as Lord Brailsford ruled it inadmissible.
Speaker 1:Mr Monaghan spent six months in remand before being granted bail. He was apprehended by police ten days prior to the birth of his heavily pregnant partner, jade McLaughlin, who suffers from a rare illness. Regrettably, he was unable to attend the birth due to his incarceration at the time. Regrettably, he was unable to attend the birth due to his incarceration. At the time, his legal representative, callum Ross, expressed his relief that the case had finally concluded. He acknowledged that the matter had been a source of distress for two years and that Mr Monaghan had consistently maintained his innocence. Ross further stated that he would like to express his gratitude to Derek Ogg, who entered the case at the last minute following the tragic passing of Paul McBride QC. In response, advocate Deputy Iain Sporan, representing the Crown, asserted that the prosecution had initiated the case on the basis of sufficient evidence. However, the evidence presented during the trial underwent a significant change. Mr Sporan added.
Speaker 1:The police conducted an exhaustive investigation to uncover the perpetrators of Kevin Carroll's murder. I have rarely witnessed such a comprehensive inquiry. They encountered a veil of silence from individuals who must possess relevant information. The police continued to investigate the murder and soon turned their attention to William Patterson. Patterson had vehemently denied shooting Carroll in the Asda car park in the city's Robroyston. Patterson maintained his presence elsewhere at the time and implicated six additional individuals.
Speaker 1:Patterson was convicted of murder following a two-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow. He was informed that he must serve a minimum of 22 years in prison, judge Lord Armstrong addressed Patterson, stating Based on the evidence presented before this court, this murder appears to have been premeditated, meticulously planned, executed by you and others in the most calculated manner. It was not a spontaneous occurrence that transpired on the spur of the moment. Rather, it was, in essence, an execution. The judge emphasised that Carroll's demise was characterised by the most vicious and brutal manner. He further underscored that the crime was committed in a public car park where ordinary members of the public were engaged in their daily routines and were thereby put at risk of gunfire. The court was informed that the shooting was carried out by two masked individuals at lunchtime within the supermarket car park in front of visibly shocked shoppers. It remains uncertain whether Patterson was among the gunmen or was driving the Volkswagen Golf that was subsequently driven away from the Asda to Coatbridge, where the weapons were disposed of in plastic bags concealed beneath shrubbery behind a library. The getaway car was subsequently discovered ablaze on a rural road by a farmer in Glen Mavis, north Lanarkshire. The murder was perpetrated within a mere 25 seconds, resulting in the demise of Mr Carroll in the rear compartment of his black Audi A3, which had been riddled with 13 bullets.
Speaker 1:During the trial, a former drug dealer, stephen Glenn, who had encountered Mr Carroll at the supermarket moments prior to his untimely demise, characterized Mr Carroll as violent. Mr Glenn asserted that Mr Carroll had made the following statement to him you are now working for me. Anyone who deviates from the established protocol will be getting shot. The court was informed that upon returning to his vehicle after the meeting and attempting to depart, mr Glenn was subjected to bangs and cracks. He recounted. I looked up and there was a motor vehicle parked in front of the vehicle in which Mr Carroll was seated. It was two individuals engaged in gunfire.
Speaker 1:During the trial, the prosecution presented the shooting as a brutal and meticulously planned assassination that posed a significant risk to the public. One eyewitness, emma Busby, a shopper, described witnessing a Clint Eastwood-esque firearm. She expressed her distress and physical discomfort to the jury after witnessing the shooting. Anne McIntosh, a teacher. The jury, after witnessing the shooting Anne McIntosh, a teacher, recounted her disbelief as masked gunmen emerged from the vehicle with their pistols held in front of them before she instinctively crouched in fear.
Speaker 1:The prosecution's case against Patterson relied heavily on DNA and phone record evidence. Jurors were informed that Patterson's DNA was discovered on the handle of a plastic bag containing one of the murder weapons. Additionally, the DNA of another individual, ross Monaghan, who was acquitted of the murder in 2012 and was acquainted with Patterson, was found on the handle of the other firearm. The court was informed that ten days after the shooting and with the police investigation fully underway, patterson had departed Scotland for Spain. He subsequently contacted legal representatives in June 2014 and consented to return to Scotland to face the charges against him.
Speaker 1:Jurors also heard telephone evidence that a mobile phone used by Patterson on the day of the murder placed him in Asda after being in the Cumbernauld area. His phone was then traced to Coatbridge, where the firearms were disposed of, and was back in Cumbernauld by 1411, before the burnt-out Volkswagen used in the crime was discovered on a country road in Glen Mavis. Patterson vehemently denied the charges against him and implicated six other individuals. He also filed a special defence of alibi, asserting that he was at an address in Cumbernauld at the time of the shooting. Patterson's legal team contended that he had returned to Scotland from Spain on the basis of his innocence.
Speaker 1:They maintained that the DNA evidence presented by the prosecution did not establish that he had handled any firearm or that firearms were present in the bag when he touched the handle. It was also alleged that there was no direct evidence to suggest that the phone attributed to Patterson, which was traced to Asda, coatbridge and Cumbernauld, was in his possession on the day of the shooting. His legal team asserted that the phone could have been utilised by one of the individuals Patterson was incriminating who was also in the Cumbernauld area. They further claimed that the eyewitness descriptions of the gunman were insufficient to identify Patterson, who stands over six feet tall. However, after less than a day of deliberation, the jury delivered a guilty verdict for murder, following Patterson's imprisonment for life. Procurator Fiscal David Harvey expressed his profound deplorability and shock at Mr Carroll's murder. Thank you,