Joseph McGready was slashed and stabbed having been accused of stealing from one of his killers.
17:43, 27 Jun 2025Updated 17:43, 27 Jun 2025
Victim Joseph McGready(Image: Police Handout)
Three killers are each facing a life sentence for the brutal murder of a vulnerable man.
Amanda Welsh, 49, Conor Thomas, 29, and Laura McHugh, 32, have been convicted of a fatal attack on Joseph McGready at the latter’s flat in Braid Square in Maryhill, Glasgow on September 29, 2023.
The 30 year-old was slashed and stabbed having been accused of stealing from McHugh.
The trio had denied murder during the trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Welsh and Thomas had effectively blamed McHugh while McHugh had pointed the finger at the other two. But, jurors today, June 27, returned unanimous verdicts against the trio.
They were remanded in custody and are due to learn the minimum they will spend behind bars next month.
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 Mr McGeady was accused of theft.
Victim Joseph McGready(Image: Police Handout)
He was set upon before he was dumped badly injured in the communal close. The killers then fled the scene. 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.
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”.
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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 “put him in the landing”. The victim 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, prosecutor Kath Harper revealed all three had criminal records. This included both Welsh and Thomas having convictions for offensive weapons.
Lord Matthews adjourned the case for reports.