Anger as evil pair were on bail when killing Reamonn Gormley in street robbery

Oct 13 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

AN evil thug this week pleaded guilty to murdering slain student Reamonn Gormley while he was on bail for stabbing another man three times in a knife attack.

At the High Court on Monday, violent offender Daryn Maxwell (23), admitted murdering Reamonn Gormley in Glasgow Road, Blantyre, on February 1.

Barry Smith (19) pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of culpable homicide.

The High Court in Glasgow heard both men were out on bail when they killed Reamonn.

The popular Glasgow University student was walking home with his friend David McFall after watching a Celtic v Aberdeen football match in the Parkville pub in Glasgow Road.

Maxwell had been given interim bail from the High Court after appealing a 32-month sentence for stabbing a man three times and Smith was on bail for alleged assault and robbery and allegedly having a pronged fork in his possession.

Both accused have previous convictions for violence and carrying offensive weapons.

Maxwell's criminal career began when he was just 14 and was convicted of assault to severe injury and permanent impairment.

The court heard as Reamonn and his friend walked along Glasgow Road around 11pm Maxwell jumped in front of Reamonn and demanded his wallet and his mobile phone, while Smith approached Mr McFall.

Maxwell was armed with a knife and Smith a chisel.

There was a struggle and Maxwell stabbed Reamonn three times.

The fatal blow severed his carotid artery and he bled to death.

Smith, who was also originally charged with Reamonn’s murder pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of killing him and this was accepted by the Crown.

Alex Prentice, prosecuting, said: “Both accused were unknown to David McFall and the deceased and it appears that his was an entirely random and unprovoked attack on two innocent members of the public.

“The Crown has accepted the pleas on the basis that Smith was knowingly part of an agreed plan to commit a robbery.”

The court heard that seconds after he was stabbed Reamonn ran to a house for help, but there was no one at home and he then returned to the Parkville Hotel.

Staff and customers took part in a desperate battle to save his life.

He had an open wound to the side of his neck from which blood was pouring.

A woman and a man applied pressure to his neck wound in a bid to stem the flow and as they did so Reamonn said: “Please don't let me die.”

Seconds later he slipped into unconsciousness.

In court, Maxwell admitted that – with his face partially masked – he presented a knife at Reamonn, demanded personal items, struggled with him and killed him by repeatedly striking him on the neck and body with a knife or similar instrument.

Smith admitted the culpable homicide of Reamonn, a sports science student at Glasgow University.

The court heard that the day after the murder Maxwell confessed what he had done to his mother Margaret Innes.

In tears he told her: “It was me. Don't tell anybody. I tried to rob him, but he started struggling and I stabbed him in the neck”.

Maxwell's mother and her partner Derek Kelso went to the police station later that day and told detectives what her son had told her.

He was arrested on February 4, and Smith the following day.

Initially, Maxwell denied murdering Reamonn, but in March, this year, Maxwell wrote to his mother and said “Going to plead to it at court” and added “Can't put the boyz family through a trial plus a don't want you going through it”.

Mr Prentice added: “Reamonn was only 19 at the time of his death and the impact on his family and on the community have been immense. More than two thousand people took part in a march through the streets of Blantyre in his memory.”

The court heard that Reamonn was a gifted young man who had worked with Down's Syndrome children in the Far East through the Good Child Foundation.

Mr Prentice added: “His father said that he found this to be a humbling experience.”

The court was told that Reamonn was involved in football and rugby, raised funds for charity and intended to visit New Zealand this year.

About 700 people packed into the church for his funeral service while dozens more lined the streets outside to listen as it was broadcast through speakers.

Mourners included Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

Defence QC Ian Duguid, representing Maxwell, said: “This was a street robbery that went horribly wrong.

“Mr Maxwell did not set out to kill anyone that night. He didn't anticipate there would be a struggle. This was a horrible incident resulting in tragic loss of life.”

Judge Lady Dorrian deferred sentence on both men until next moth for background reports.

Reamonn's family and friends sobbed as the last minutes of his life were recounted in court, but declined to make any comment as they left.