Calls for probe into how thugs were free to kill popular Blantyre student

Oct 13 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

CALLS were made yesterday (Wednesday) for an investigation into how two evil thugs came to be on bail when they killed popular student Reamonn Gormley.

Daryn Maxwell (23) pleaded guilty at the High Court on Monday to murdering the 19-year-old Glasgow University student in a street robbery in Blantyre’s Glasgow Road on February 1.

Accomplice Barry Smith pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide. Both men have a long criminal records.

Maxwell, of Hazelwood Drive, Blantyre, used the knife that killed former pupil of John Ogilvie High Reamonn.

At the time of the attack, Maxwell was on bail after appealing against a sentence of two years and eight months for knifing Craig Fellows in Blantyre’s Stonefield Road in August, 2008.

Maxwell was freed on January 7, pending the appeal proceedings, and murdered Reamonn 25 days later.

The thug had a history of violence. At the time of the attack on Craig Fellows he was out on licence after being sentenced to 18 months’ jail for serious assault. And at the time of the attack on Reamonn, Smith was also on bail after being charged with assault and robbery.

Now politicians are demanding a full investigation by the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC on why the two were given bail and free to kill Reamonn.

Blantyre MSP James Kelly, Labour’s Justice spokesman, told the Advertiser: “There is serious public concern and the Lord Advocate should investigate why bail was granted in this case.

“The decision was unacceptable and had terrible consequences for such an honourable young man.”

Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell backed the calls for a full investigation.

She said: “I would urge the Lord Advocate to look at the rules at giving bail and how it is operating in practice in the light of those involved in the Reamonn Gormley case and other offenders given bail who have gone on to commit serious offences.”

And Mr Kelly said Reamonn’s tragic murder could have been avoided.

“I hope the judge imposes the stiffest sentence possible,” he added.

“People are rightly asking why on earth this violent knife criminal with a history of breaching bail was ever granted bail. The law was changed so that, in cases like this, where the accused has previous knife crime convictions bail is opposed. We need a 100 per cent guarantee that those guidelines are being followed.

“The message needs to be sent loud and clear that it is never, ever, acceptable to carry a knife on the street.”

Margaret Mitchell, a candidate in the Scottish Tory leadership race, said: “The public are horrified to discover Reamonn’s killer was actually on bail for committing a serious assault.

“The public will be asking why on earth these two people were given bail and free to walk the streets to commit this horrific killing.

“I would expect the sentence to be just and that the pair are given a severe punishment as a deterrent.

“South Lanarkshire has become the murder capital of Scotland under Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and the SNP’s policies of letting prisoners serve only half their sentences.

“I want to see these offenders serve a full jail sentence.”

Maxwell, who attended the same school as Reamonn Gormley, previous criminal record included:

l2003: Assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

l2004: Assault.

l2005: Breach of Public Orders.

l2006: A 20-month sentence for willful fireraising and a further 18 months detention for assault to severe injury.

l2008: Two years and eight months’ jail for knifing Craig Fellows three times while on licence in Blantyre’s Stonefield Road.

Barry Smith was first convicted when aged 16. His record is:

l2008: Assault and shoplifting.

l2009: Housebreaking and Breach of Community Service Order.

lBreach of Probation.

Reamonn Gormley was stabbed to death while walking home with his friend David McFall after watching a Celtic v Aberdeen football match in the Parkville pub in Glasgow Road, on February 1

Masked Maxwell armed with a knife ambushed Reamonn and demanded his wallet and his mobile phone, while Smith carrying a chisel confronted David McFall.

Reamonn attempted to defend himself when Maxwell viciously stabbed him three times, penetrating a main artery in his neck.

Reamonn then made his way back to the pub where staff and customers battled in vain to save him.

Crying for help, Reamonn said: “Please don't let me die” before slipping into unconsciousness.

Following tragic Reamonn’s death, the Advertiser launched the “Hammer The Knife Thugs” campaign, calling for tougher sentences for people carrying and using knives.

More than 11,000 Advertiser readers have now signed our petition and it has been sent to the Scottish Parliament.

Hundreds of family and friends and Celtic manager Neil Lennon said their final farewell to Reamonn at his funeral in Joseph’s Church in Blantyre in February.

Eddie Morrison, head teacher of John Ogilvie High, described Reamonn as an outstanding young man.

And last month at the school, Blantyre teenager Shaun Rouse was the first recipient of an award in memory of the slain teenager at the pupils’ senior award ceremony.

Reamonn’s parents Jim and Ann were too upset to make a comment when the Advertiser went to their home this week.

Maxwell and Smith will be sentenced at the High Court on November 7.