Man charged with plot to harm son of gangland assassin

An alleged gang member has been charged with plotting to harm the son of a gangland assassin.

Scott Lawlor is said to have been involved in a plan to attack Raymond Anderson Jnr in 2020.

He is the son of hitman Raymond Anderson Snr, who is serving life in prison for his part in gunning down Michael Lyons, 21, at the Applerow Motors garage in Lambhill, Glasgow, in December 2006.

Lawlor, 38, was one of nine men arrested last week in an operation targeting alleged members of the Lyons crime group. He made no plea during a private hearing at Glasgow Sherriff Court.

It is claimed Lawlor was involved in using the EncroChat phone network before it was discovered by the authorities.

Prosecutors alleged that - between 30 March and 7 May 7 2020 at an upmarket flat in the city's west end - he conspired with another user, known as "morbidsquid", to commit a "serious assault and severely injure" Anderson Jnr.

This is said to have involved discussion about how it would happen as well as plans to carry out surveillance on the alleged target.

The court papers claim arrangements were made with "morbidsquid" to source and obtain firearms along with cars to use in any attack.

Lawlor faces a separate charge of plotting a similar assault on an individual known as "Chunk".

He is again said to have been in contact with "morbidsquid" as well as another EncroChat user called "lawlesshound".

It is claimed Lawlor agreed a "financial sum" that was to be paid for any assault and that a vehicle used by him was to be "professionally cleaned" to "remove fingerprints to avoid detection from law enforcement".

Lawlor and co-accused Peter Hetherington, 39, face a charge of being involved in serious organised crime.

The charge says the pair used encrypted devices such as EncroChat to communicate with others about organised crime.

It is claimed they sourced, supplied and adulterated drugs such as cocaine, diamorphine, MDMA and ketamine.

Allegations go on to say the men collected, transported, concealed and distributed the same drugs.

The duo are then stated to have acquired, used, possessed and transported money from the proceeds of crime.

They are further claimed to have exchanged messages and images related to possessing firearms and ammunition.

The men are also claimed to have shared messages and images in relation to acts and threats of violence against Anderson Jnr and Chunk.

These allegations span between October 2019 and May 2020.

Hetherington faces two charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and diamorphine between March and June 2020.

It is alleged that these charges were aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime.

Lawlor, of Erskine, Renfrewshire, and Hetherington, of Glasgow's Milton, made no plea at court.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes ordered Lawlor to be remanded in custody pending further examination, and he will appear at court again within the next seven days.

Hetherington was granted bail and his next court date is yet to be determined.