Chilling picture shows ‘cold-blooded’ shooter gun down Airdrie gym boss Gary More on his own doorstep
THIS is the chilling moment that a “cold-blooded” killer gunned down a Scots gym boss on the doorstep of his own home.
Former footballer-turned-assassin Barry Harvey was today convicted of shooting Gary More, 32, in Airdrie, Lanarkshire on September 6, 2018.
The 35-year-old was called a “cold blooded killer” by prosecutors as the High Court in Glasgow heard how he was paid for the hit.
The footage image emerged as Harvey, 36, Thomas Guthrie, 28, and Darren Owen, 24, were today found guilty of a crime spree involving the assassinations of Mr More and Rafal Lyko.
The trio were also convicted of attempting to murder Scott Bennett in a shooting while Guthrie was nailed for a knife kill bid on Glasgow lawyer Joe Shields.
They were found guilty after a mammoth 12-week trial.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that shooting victim Mr More owed a drug debt of £100,000.
He was repeatedly visited on the run-up to his murder by Neil Anderson who was later given a life sentence for his involvement in the killing.
Guthrie and Harvey went on a reconnaissance mission of the scene the night before Mr More was murdered.
The Skoda getaway car was spotted near Mr More’s home round 10pm, and Harvey’s phone was stated to have been turned off at the time.
Guthrie’s phone later made a call for a taxi from his house to Maryhill where Harvey’s girlfriend Karlie Montgomery was living at the time.
The next day Mr More was lured from his home by Anderson where they had a brief conversation.
The Skoda then pulled up and covered-up gunman Harvey emerged from the car.
Harvey blasted Mr More nine times to his head and body before he ran back inside the vehicle and fled the scene.
The Skoda was found burnt out later that night.
Harvey and Guthrie’s associate Scott Brown gave vital evidence at the trial which helped convict the men.
He claimed he by Guthrie to follow the Skoda to a farm in Baldernock, East Dunbartonshire, where it was set of fire.
He then drove the pair to a property and they went off into another room before Mr Brown left.
Guthrie at the time of the shooting was using a phone which belonged to his dad which was later seized by police.
On hearing this, Guthrie was noted to say to his dad: “Everyone is f***ed – Barry, Barry’s bird.”
Harvey later splashed out on a shiny new set of “Turkey teeth” after he was paid for the killing.
Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy said in her closing speech: “Harvey was a cold blooded killer carrying out a job or hit for payment which went to his house and a holiday to Krakow with his girlfriend.”
It was stated that Harvey paid £200 for the flights which was suggested was “proceeds” from the murder.
Miss Glancy added: “There was funding of Turkey teeth acquired by Harvey. The Crown say this is additional expenditure which arises from the payment for the murder of Mr More which took place a few weeks before.
Harvey was also later involved in the murder bid of drug dealer Scott Bennett, 43, who was shot outside a vets in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire on December 3 of that year.
Guthrie – already serving a life sentence for being the getaway driver in the More killing – was convicted for his role in the Bennett attack.
The 27-year-old was separately guilty of the brutal slashing in the attempted murder of lawyer Joe Shields, 68, outside his office close to Glasgow Sheriff Court on July 19 2018.
Owen, 23, was found to have murdered Rafal Lyko, 36, whose remains were discovered in a burned-out Mercedes in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, on February 11 2019.
Co-accused Thomas Wilson, 26, was found not guilty of murdering Mr Lyko.
Owen was further convicted of being part of the vets shooting of Bennett.
It is believed that the gang are linked to notorious brothers Barry and James Gillespie whose crime network once spanned the globe.
Former Partick Thistle youth player Harvey was caged in 2007 for nine years as a teenager for a savage knife attack on Thomas McCairns.
The hitman was described to a court as being an “enforcer” and “top dog” while “subservient” Guthrie did his bidding.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month at the High Court in Glasgow.
All three men were remanded in custody meantime.
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 added: “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.”