THREE killers guilty of the brutal murder of a vulnerable man have been jailed for a total of more than 50 years.
Amanda Welsh, 49, Conor Thomas, 29, and Laura McHugh, 32, teamed up to attack Joseph McGready at the latter’s flat in Braid Square in Maryhill, Glasgow, on September 29 2023.
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Amanda Welsh has been jailed for a minimum of 17 and a half yearsCredit: POLICE SCOTLAND
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Conor Thomas was jailed for 18 yearsCredit: POLICE SCOTLAND
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Joseph McGready was ‘left to die’ after being stabbed and slashedCredit: POLICE SCOTLAND
The 30-year-old was said to have been targeted in “a trap”, having been accused of stealing from McHugh.
The trio had then fled the scene after Mr McGready was stabbed and slashed.
The three were today each handed a life sentence at the High Court in Glasgow, having all earlier been convicted of murder.
Welsh was jailed for a minimum of 17 and a half years, Thomas 18 years, and McHugh 17 years by Judge Lord Matthews.
Victim Mr McGready had ended up in the company of the three on the day of the killing before going to McHugh’s flat.
The trial heard claims it was while there that Mr McGeady was accused of theft.
He was set upon before he was dumped badly injured in the communal close. Mr McGready had called for help as he was being struck.
The killers then abandoned the blood-soaked victim. Welsh and McHugh ended up spending the night in a hotel.
Mr McGready was later found, but he tragically passed away days later in hospital.
The trio were eventually held by police for the death.
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McHugh told detectives of a “free for all” at her flat, but denied being responsible.
She stated Welsh initially slashed Mr McGready before Thomas struck him “five or six times”.
McHugh told the officers: “I shouted on Connor and he stopped. It was only a few seconds, and it was over.”
She recalled “a lot of blood” and assumed the victim had a number of injuries.
McHugh claimed she had been “terrified”, but admitted helping lift Mr McGready from the flat and “putting him in the landing”.
The attack happened within a few minutes… he was dragged out into the landing and left to die
Judge Lord Matthews
The man was said to have pleaded: “Please stop, please stop.”
In her evidence, Welsh admitted slashing Mr McGready, but denied any further attack.
She claimed the man had made a comment about her boyfriend.
After she had dropped the blade, Welsh insisted she had then seen McHugh with a knife.
Following the verdicts last month, prosecutor Kath Harper KC revealed all three had criminal records.
This included both Welsh and Thomas having convictions for offensive weapons.
Mr McGready had the presence of mind to call 999 while he was being attacked. He was struggling for his life
Judge Lord Matthews
Lawyers for the killers today said each had their own personal issues at the time of the crime.
Sentencing, Lord Matthews stated the “untimely and needless loss” of Mr McGready had caused “incalculable” grief to those close to him.
He said a comment between the women in a phone call shortly before appeared to then have the “hallmarks of a trap” awaiting the victim.
The judge: “The attack happened within a few minutes.
“Mr McGready had the presence of mind to call 999 while he was being attacked. He was struggling for his life.
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“Afterwards, he was dragged out into the landing and left to die.
“None of you thought to contact the emergency services – even anonymously – to alert them to Mr McGready.”
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Laura McHugh was jailed for 17 yearsCredit: POLICE SCOTLAND
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Emergency crews raced to help Joseph on September 29, 2023