A man has admitted murdering another man in Edinburgh in a gangland shootout on Hogmanay 2023.
Grant Hunter, 34, shot Marc Webley at the Anchor Inn in Granton just before midnight on New Year’s Eve two years ago.
In the days before his murder, Webley posted on social media daring his rivals to come looking for him.
Webley, who was 38, had a history of involvement in gangland violence. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison for attempted murder in 2005.
Public address mediaThe indictment against Hunter said the murder was “aggravated by a connection to serious organized crime.”
Two other people, Emma McVie, 27, and Gary Robertson, 22, also appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh and pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice.
They will be sentenced at a later date.
On New Year’s Eve 2023, Webley was celebrating with friends when Hunter approached him and another man outside a pub in north Edinburgh.
After a brief encounter, Hunter pulled out a gun and shot both men.
Security cameras played in court showed Webley, who was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time, running away.
But he was shot in the back and died a short time later from his wounds.
The other man who was shot, Stuart Pearson, was a friend of Mark Webley. He survived his injuries.
FacebookHunter pleaded guilty to murdering Webley and attempting to murder Mr Pearson.
Judge Lord Mulholland described Hunter as a hitman and said the streets of Edinburgh and Scotland were not war zones.
He said the fact that four shots were fired at Webley showed there was no doubt he wanted him dead.
Hunter was told he would be sentenced to life in prison and there was no guarantee he would ever be released.
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police scotlandLord Mulholland told Emma McVie and Gary Robertson they should expect long sentences for helping Hunter try to cover his tracks.
McVie cleaned the getaway car and the clothes it was wearing. Robertson disposed of the gun, which has not yet been recovered by police.
Criminal Justice social work reports are being prepared ahead of sentencing next month.
Detective Superintendent Graham Grant said the violence involved in the case was “absolutely senseless”.
He added: “Our thoughts are with Marc Webley’s family today following these convictions.
“Although this was a targeted attack, there was absolutely no regard for the safety of the local community when a firearm was discharged outside a busy pub on New Year’s Eve.
“One man lost his life and another was seriously injured, but this incident could also have left other people seriously injured (or worse) and I want to make it clear that this behavior will not be tolerated.
“Violence and the carrying of firearms is completely unacceptable.
“I believe these convictions send a message to those involved in serious crimes that we remain determined to bring them to justice.”
