{"id":601169,"date":"2025-11-29T11:24:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T11:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/601169\/"},"modified":"2025-11-29T11:24:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T11:24:19","slug":"murderer-beat-scot-to-death-and-then-walked-off-with-his-estranged-wife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/601169\/","title":{"rendered":"Murderer beat Scot to death and then walked off with his estranged wife"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Leon Headey pleaded guilty to the murder at the High Court in Glasgow last month.<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Screenshot-2025-10-22-at-140443.jpg\" alt=\"Ross MacGillivray was killed at a property in Inverness\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Ross MacGillivray was killed at a property in Inverness(Image: Police Scotland)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">A man who carried out a string of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"violent attacksLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">violent attacks<\/a> from Liverpool to Scotland has been caged for life. Leon Headey, 23, chased a man down the street while stabbing him repeatedly, and just two months later, he battered another man to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"death.Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">death.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Headey, and Craig Hayden, murdered <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Ross MacGillivrayLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Ross MacGillivray<\/a> in Inverness on November 11, 2023. The 36-year-old victim was restrained, punched, kicked and stamped on by the pair, causing &#8220;unsurvivable&#8221; injuries, reports <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news\/liverpool-news\/beat-man-death-walked-estranged-32958205\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"the Liverpool ECHO.Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">the Liverpool ECHO.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Following the<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" brutal attackLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> brutal attack<\/a>, Headey and Hayden went with Mr MacGillivray&#8217;s estranged wife, Samantha MacGillivray, to the nearby Caledonian Canal and disposed of a number of items in an attempt to cover their tracks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Headey and Hayden, pleaded guilty to the murder at the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"High CourtLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">High Court<\/a> in Glasgow last month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Just two months before the murder took place, Headey was caught on CCTV chasing the other man down West Derby Road, Tuebrook, and stabbing at him repeatedly with a large kitchen knife. The violent attack took place in broad daylight on the morning of September 7, 2023.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_leon.png\" alt=\"Leon Headey pleaded guilty to the murder at the High Court in Glasgow. \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Leon Headey pleaded guilty to the murder at the High Court in Glasgow. (Image: ECHO)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"victimLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">victim<\/a> ran and fell into the road, then scrambled into a passing car, which was stopped at the traffic lights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">At <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Liverpool Crown CourtLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool Crown Court<\/a> on Monday, November 24, prosecutor Ian Hopkins said: \u201cThe man who the defendant attacked with a knife would not assist police, but witnesses described seeing three men arguing. It\u2019s not clear what the argument was about. But, unprovoked, the defendant, with a knife, attacked the other man, and could be seen swinging aggressively with the knife.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">&#8220;As regards the injuries caused, the victim would not allow the police to access any medical records and would not assist. But a police officer spoke to ambulance staff, who told him the victim had sustained one stab wound to his upper chest and two stab wounds to his back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">&#8220;The man was bleeding profusely and heavily. One of the witnesses was approached by him; he jumped into his car and asked to be taken to the hospital, which he did.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">It was the first in a series of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"violent crimes Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">violent crimes <\/a>committed by Headey in a three month period, culminating in the savage murder of Mr MacGillivray on November 11 2023. He also admitted to violently <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"attackingLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">attacking<\/a> another man outside a property in Alness, a town in Scotland, on October 25, 2023.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Appearing at Liverpool Crown via video link on Monday, Headey pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"bladed articleLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">bladed article<\/a> in a public place in relation to the incident in Liverpool, and was sentenced to a total of 22 months in prison.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">He appeared at the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"High Court in EdinburghLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">High Court in Edinburgh<\/a> on Thursday, November 27, on charges of murder and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years and seven months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Hayden, from Alness, was ordered to serve a minimum term of 17 years and two months. Ms MacGillivray&#8217;s estranged wife Samantha MacGillivray, 33, was jailed for one year and nine months after admitting attempting to defeat the<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" ends of justice.Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> ends of justice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Detective Inspector Richard Baird of Police Scotland\u2019s <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Major Investigation TeamLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Major Investigation Team<\/a> said: \u201cRoss MacGillivray was subjected to a brutal and violent attack, leaving him with unsurvivable injuries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">He appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, November 27, on charges of<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" murderLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> murder<\/a> and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years and seven months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Hayden, from Alness, was ordered to serve a minimum term of 17 years and two months. Ms MacGillivray&#8217;s estranged wife <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/police-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Samantha MacGillivrayLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Samantha MacGillivray<\/a>, 33, was jailed for one year and nine months after admitting attempting to defeat the ends of justice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Detective Inspector Richard Baird of Police Scotland\u2019s Major Investigation Team said: \u201cRoss MacGillivray was subjected to a brutal and violent attack, leaving him with unsurvivable injuries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Leon Headey pleaded guilty to the murder at the High Court in Glasgow last month.Ross MacGillivray was killed&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":601170,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7826],"tags":[748,30,1102,918,4884,20665,7898,530,712,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-601169","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-glasgow","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-courts","10":"tag-edinburgh","11":"tag-glasgow","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-inverness","14":"tag-justice","15":"tag-police-scotland","16":"tag-scotland","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115632740838753273","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=601169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601169\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/601170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=601169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=601169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=601169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}