Brother of murder victim is attacked

Mar 20 2008

A 33-year-old man this week appeared at court in connection with an alleged attack on Steven McQueen — the brother of Blantyre murder victim Brian McQueen.

Anthony Brown, of Parkville Drive, Blantyre, faced an attempted murder charge when he appeared on petition at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday.

Brown faced a further three drugs charges.

He was charged with possession of cannabis, dealing in the drug and possession with intent to supply.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

A second accused, Margaret Carey, of Parkville Drive, was charged with being in possession of a knife when she appeared on petition at the court on the same day.

The 34-year-old made no plea or declaration and was released on bail.

Police began their investigations after they were called to a disturbance in Parkville Drive last Friday night.

They sealed off the street as forensic officers combed the area for clues.

Steven McQueen (23), was taken to Hairmyres Hospital after receiving serious abdominal injuries.

He was detained overnight in a high-dependency unit, where medics described his condition as “stable”.

Police enquires into the Parkville Drive incident are ongoing.

A 32-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman are the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, detectives probing Brian McQueen’s murder issued an appeal for help in tracing a black Ford Focus.

Police believe that the hatchback, with the registration number YTO3 VZS, may have been used by the 37-year-old’s murderers.

He was knifed in Hardie Street as he walked home with a dog from his girlfriend’s home in Small Crescent on Wednesday, February 13, at 10pm.

Four men jumped out of a black Ford Focus and launched a frenzied attack. They then fled in the car.

Brian McQueen, of Springwell Crescent, managed to stagger to Anford Place at the junction with Auchinraith Road before collapsing in a pool of blood.

He was found by a man walking his dog and was taken to Hairmyres Hospital.

His condition was stabilised but he suffered internal bleeding and died the following day at 6pm.

Police have made a number of public appeals in a bid to find his killers.

Officers quizzed 100 people when they stopped cars and passers-by in Hardie Street on Wednesday, February 20.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Welsh, who is leading the murder probe, said: “Our enquiries now centre on a black Ford Focus hatchback, registration number YTO3 VZS.

“It is believed that this car was in the area around the time that Brian was attacked.

“This car was stolen from the Hill Street area of Hamilton around the time of the murder, and I am anxious to speak to anyone who saw it in the area of Hardie Street on the night that Brian was killed.”

DCI Welsh has appealed for anyone with information about the car or its whereabouts to contact police immediately.

He added: “His assailants, believed to be four men, may have been waiting for Brian or following him as he walked from Small Crescent, shortly before 10pm on Wednesday, February 13.

“I am anxious to speak to anyone who has seen this Ford Focus since the murder.

“It could have been parked in someone’s street during the past five weeks.”

Anyone with information about the vehicle should contact the incident room at Larkhall on 202326 or, alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where calls are free and anonymity can be maintained.