Man jailed over murder at house in Stevenston

But Craig Munro was found guilty of the attempted murder of another man

Author: Paul KellyPublished 29th Nov 2017

A man’s been cleared of the murder of Stevenston man John Smith, in a house in the town last year.

But at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, Craig Munro was jailed for nine years for attempting to murder Mr Smith’s nephew John McDade.

Violence erupted last year amid claims Farrah Gillespie, from Ayr, had been 'stirring things up' between 31 year-old Munro and McDade.

Jurors heard comments had been made about Munro and Mr McDade having both had sex with the same woman.

Miss Gillespie was later reported missing and found to be in the company of Munro and 27 year-old Allan Robertson shortly after the alleged killing.

The incident emerged as a jury on Wednesday returned a not proven verdict to claims he killed Mr Smith.

But, Munro was still found guilty of the attempted murder of Mr McDade.

A previous trial earlier this year was halted when Miss Gillespie – a prosecution witness – told jurors at the time she was not fit to give evidence.

The mum was not called at this latest case.

Munro, of Drumoyne, Glasgow, had denied the crimes.

Sentencing, Judge Sean Murphy QC said Munro was still guilty of “a significant level of violence” that was “out of all proportion” to anything previously occurred.

Allan Robertson had also been accused of the same charges, but the allegations were thrown out during the trial.