Three killers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of a vulnerable man who was lured to a Glasgow flat, repeatedly stabbed and left to die in a communal close.
Amanda Welsh, 49, Conor Thomas, 29, and Laura McHugh, 32, were convicted last month of murdering Joseph McGready, 30, who died from his injuries three days after the attack in Maryhill on 29 September 2023. Lord Matthews ordered Thomas to serve a minimum of 18 years, Welsh 17-and-a-half years and McHugh 17 years before they can be considered for parole.
The High Court in Glasgow heard Mr McGready was heard begging his killers to stop during the frenzied attack at McHugh’s flat in Braid Square. He managed to call 999 whilst being stabbed but was later dragged outside and abandoned in the communal close.
Sentencing, Lord Matthews said the “untimely and needless loss” of Mr McGready had caused “incalculable” grief to those close to him. The judge revealed a phone call between the women shortly before the attack indicated they had set a “trap” for their victim.
“The attack happened within a few minutes,” Lord Matthews told the court. “Mr McGready had the presence of mind to call 999 while he was being attacked. He was struggling for his life.”
The judge condemned the killers for failing to summon help, adding: “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.”
The court heard Mr McGready had been accused of stealing from McHugh before the fatal assault. Once inside the flat, he was immediately set upon by the trio in what prosecutors described as a coordinated attack.
Mr McGready was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital but died on 2 October, three days after sustaining multiple stab wounds. Post-mortem examinations revealed he had suffered severe injuries from both slashing and stabbing.
Detective Inspector Sandy MacKinnon of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team said: “Joseph McGready’s family and friends have been left devastated and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time. I hope this sentence brings at least a degree of closure for them.”
He added: “Welsh, Thomas and McHugh now face the consequences of their cowardly and callous actions.”
The trial heard conflicting accounts from the killers, with each attempting to blame the others. McHugh told detectives there had been a “free for all” at her flat but denied responsibility for the fatal wounds.
She claimed Welsh initially slashed Mr McGready before Thomas struck him “five or six times” with a knife. “I shouted on Conor and he stopped. It was only a few seconds and it was over,” McHugh told officers.
McHugh recalled seeing “a lot of blood” and admitted she was “terrified” but acknowledged helping to lift Mr McGready from the flat and “putting him in the landing” whilst he pleaded: “Please stop, please stop.”
Welsh admitted slashing Mr McGready during her evidence but denied any further attack. She claimed the victim had made a comment about her boyfriend that prompted her initial assault.
After dropping the blade, Welsh insisted she then saw McHugh with a knife, attempting to shift blame for the fatal wounds. The jury rejected these attempts by the killers to minimise their roles.
Following their arrest, Welsh and McHugh spent the night in a hotel whilst Mr McGready lay dying in hospital. The callousness of their actions after leaving him for dead particularly shocked investigators.
Prosecutor Kath Harper KC revealed after the verdicts that all three killers had criminal records, with both Welsh and Thomas having previous convictions for offensive weapons. This history of violence made their coordinated attack on Mr McGready even more concerning to authorities.
The victim’s desperate 999 call made whilst under attack provided crucial evidence in the case. The recording captured him struggling for his life as the assault continued around him.
Police were called to the property in Braid Square shortly after 11.30pm on 29 September 2023. Officers found Mr McGready seriously injured in the communal area where he had been abandoned by his attackers.
The investigation involved extensive CCTV analysis and door-to-door enquiries in the Maryhill area. A dedicated team of detectives worked to piece together the events leading to Mr McGready’s death.
Welsh, of Govan, Thomas, who has no fixed address, and McHugh, of Maryhill, had all denied murder during their trial at the High Court in Glasgow. The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts against all three defendants.
Lord Matthews noted that lawyers for the killers had cited personal issues at the time of the crime, but he made clear these provided no excuse for their brutal actions. The judge emphasised the calculated nature of the attack.
The case highlighted the vulnerability of the victim, who had been lured to the flat before being subjected to a vicious assault. The premeditated nature of the attack was evidenced by the phone call between the women beforehand.
DI MacKinnon thanked the investigation team and members of the public who assisted with enquiries. “I wish to thank all officers involved for their dedication and commitment throughout the investigation,” he said.
The sentences reflect the severity of the crime and the need to protect the public from violent offenders. All three will remain on licence for life if eventually released from prison.
Police Scotland emphasised their commitment to bringing violent criminals to justice and supporting victims’ families through the legal process. The force continues to work with communities to prevent such tragic incidents.
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