Six Glasgow men to stand trial accused of plotting to kill a 'rival gang'

Prosecutors state they were part of the crew known as “the Lyons” and targeted individuals associated with “the Daniel'” clan

Published 27th Aug 2018

Members of a criminal gang plotted to kill men linked to another crime mob, it is claimed. Prosecutors state the six were part of the crew known as “the Lyons” and targeted individuals associated with “the Daniel'” clan.

This allegedly involved a string of murder bids over 15-months - including an attack on Glasgow's M8 motorway.

Brian Ferguson (36), Andrew Gallacher (40), Robert Pickett (53), Andrew Sinclair (31), John Hardie (35) and Peter Bain (44) will stand trial in the New Year to face the accusations.

The six appeared for a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

The "Lyons" and "Daniel" gangs are each described in the 13-page indictment as a "serious organised crime group".

It is first claimed the six did “conspire” with others to “murder members or associates” of the Daniel clan.

They allegedly targeted Robert Daniel, Thomas Bilsland, Gary Petty, Ryan Fitzsimmons and Steven Daniel.

The charge spans between June 2016 and September 2017 listing locations in Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Manchester.

The alleged plot is said to involve putting tracking devices on motors used by the five.

It is claimed there was the also the use of weapons, stolen vehicles, encrypted mobile phones and “electronic signal blockers”.

The indictment goes on to list details of alleged murder bids on the five men.

It is claimed Robert Daniel was the victim of an attack in the city's Robroyston in December 2016.

This is said to involve his car being rammed before he was chased into a property and struck with a machete.

It is stated Thomas Bilsland was tailed to the city's Cranhill in January 2017.

He was then allegedly attacked with a hatchet, hammer and a knife.

Gary Petty was said to have been tracked to a street in the city's Maryhill before it is claimed he was also set upon in March last year.

Prosecutors state he was surrounded before being hit with machetes and a baton.

It is claimed Ryan Fitzsimmons was the next target in April last year in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

The charge alleges he was knocked unconscious after being hit with a knife, hammer and axe.

Steven Daniel is said to be the last of the five allegedly attacked.

It is claimed his car was chased at high speed and eventually rammed at the on-ramp of the M8 motorway in Glasgow's Port Dundas.

The attackers allegedly smashed windows of the vehicle before hitting Daniel with a cleaver, hammer and “sharp bladed implements” in May last year.

The indictment lists a total of 19 charges.

These include Ferguson, Gallacher and Pickett allegedly directing the other three accused and a further man to “commit serious offences”.

A further accusation states the six agreed with others to do something they knew or suspected would “further the commission of serious organised crime”.

Other allegations include the reset of different vehicles as well as cars used in crimes being set on fire.

Hardie alone faces firearms charges while Bain is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The six deny the accusations.

Judge Lord Mulholland fixed a trial due to begin next January.

The case could last around 12 weeks.