Cops widen probe for killers of Blantyre drug dealer

Feb 21 2008 By Graham Fraser

POLICE searching for the killers of drug dealer Brian McQueen last night (Wednesday) staged a major operation in Blantyre.

They stopped cars and passers-by in Hardie Street in the hunt for four men believed to have killed the 37-year-old Blantyre man.

McQueen, of Springwell Crescent, Blantyre, was attacked in the village’s Hardie Street last Wednesday about 10pm as he walked from the nearby Small Crescent home of his girlfriend Margaret McCarroll.

Four men jumped out of a car and stabbed the 37-year-old several times. The attackers then got back into the vehicle and made their escape.

Police say McQueen was the victim of a “frenzied attack”.  McQueen, who was a convicted drug dealer, managed to stagger to Anford Place at the junction with Auchinraith Road before he collapsed.

He was found by a man walking his dog and taken to Hairmyres Hospital. His condition was initially stabilised by staff, but he suffered internal bleeding and died just after 6am on Thursday.

Last night police returned to Hardie Street a week after they had raced to the scene of the murder. They interviewed motorists and pedestrians to try and find witnesses to the incident. They are trying to trace a blackcoloured car that may have been used by the killers.

Detective chief inspector Alan Welsh, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: “We believe that four men were involved and someone must have seen or heard something.

“I am hopeful that the operation may provide us with that little piece of information we need in order to trace those responsible for Mr McQueen’s death.”

Tributes have been left this week on a fence in Hardie Street. Pictures of Brian’s family lay next to flowers and a number of messages written on Rangers and Celtic flags.

On one Irish flag, it said: “To dad, R.I.P. Miss you loads, love from Jamie xxx”.

Another card from a nameless writer laments: “This knife culture must stop. Nobody deserves to die like this. Another life taken needlessly.”

The Advertiser went to the homes of Margaret McCarroll and several members of Brian McQueen’s family but none of them wished to comment.

Residents who live near the murder scene spoke of the night Brian was killed. David Clyde (76), a retired engineer, lives with his wife Margaret (76) on Hardie Street. David said: “The first thing we knew about it was when the police turned up. This is a very quiet area, and we are both shocked by what has happened.”

Anne Allison (75), of nearby Small Crescent, said: “I was just watching part of the highlights from the Rangers vs Panathinaikos game and it was very quiet but suddenly there was lots of noise.”

“Several police cars and a couple of fire engines turned up. It is very worrying.”

Several residents from the area commented this week how they heard nothing outside their homes until the police cars arrived.

It has emerged that McQueen was in Hamilton Sheriff Court the day before he died.
He was appealing a driving disqualification he received in October 2005.

It is understood McQueen was about to start employment with C and J Moving Ltd in Blantyre Industrial Estate once the disqualification had been lifted.

Brian McQueen was murdered only a few hundred metres away from the spot where dad-of-two Scott Byers was slain on June 2 last year in his Jedburgh Street home.

His killers William Good (24) and Mark McGhee (21), who received 17 years each for the crime, lived only a short walk away in Stonefield Road.

If you have any information on Brian McQueen’s murder, contact the Incident Room at Larkhall Police Office on 01698 202326 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.