01 January 2024 , 20:23
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A man shot dead outside a pub minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve was a former gangland gunman and had "expected an attack," pals say.
Marc Webley died despite the best efforts of paramedics after he was gunned outside the Anchor Inn near Trinity, Edinburgh late last night. The 36-year-old man had reportedly been there partying with friends to ring in the new year and to celebrate Hogmanay.
Marc, the former lover of the youngest ever EuroMillions winner Jane Park, was cleared of two attempted murders last year at the high court. He had told friends, though, he was "expecting an attack" and had been carrying weapons wherever he went recently.
Gangland sources told the Daily Record: "Don posted on his Facebook that Marc went the day he wanted, the way he wanted and then laid down the gauntlet by saying 'come and get it.' There's going to be wars in the city if Marc has been murdered."
Residents near the pub in Trinity reported hearing gunshots minutes before midnight. Emergency services dashed to the scene, but Marc tragically couldn't be saved.
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Forensic officers investigate the shooting (DailyRecord WS)Jane, 27, posted on social media today: "I can’t believe I’m writing this, we spoke yesterday. If I could cuddle you again and tell you everything is going to be okay, I would give anything to do it Marc. The months we spent together, you taught me some valuable things in life and I will never forget you. I am absolutely devastated. The best bed for you is up there. My handsome."
In 2006, Marc was convicted of being the gunman in a gangland-style ambush on a Kawasaki motorbike and jailed for eleven years, Daily Record reports. Marc, then 19, along with co-accused James Tant, then 21, were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to attempted murder. Their victim, Peter Simpson, was shot in the back in the Granton area of Edinburgh in January the previous year near his home.
Jane has left an emotional tribute to Marc on social media (Instagram)But following this conviction, Marc accused last year of trying to ram a car off the road in Edinburgh, charges acquitted in court. It was alleged he slammed his car into another vehicle carrying driver Richard Hughes and passenger Lyndsay McLaughlin while travelling at speeds of up to 65mph, but a jury acquitted Marc of two attempted murder charges.
Following the fatal shooting in Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve, a senior police officer said “everything possible” is being done to find those responsible.
Detective Superintendent Graham Grant said: “This is believed to have been a targeted incident and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of both men involved.
“Inquiries are at a very early stage to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened, and while officers have already gathered CCTV and spoken to various people who were in the area at the time, I’d urge anyone with information who hasn’t yet spoken to us to come forward. In particular if anyone has private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the Granton Crescent/Road area around the time of the incident, please bring it to our attention.
“This incident will undoubtedly have caused concern in the local community and officers will be carrying out extra patrols of the area and I’d like to reassure the public that everything possible is being done to trace whoever is responsible.”