A contract killer who carried out a gangland execution outside a busy Edinburgh pub on Hogmanay has been sentenced to 26 years in prison.
New Year's Eve Assassination
Grant Hunter, 34, admitted murdering 38-year-old Marc Webley and the attempted murder of Stewart Pearson. The shooting occurred just after 11.30pm on December 31, 2023, outside the Anchor Inn in Granton, Edinburgh.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that Hunter arrived in a stolen Hyundai SUV, wearing a balaclava. CCTV footage played in court showed Webley, a father-of-two, approach the vehicle and show his mobile phone to Hunter. Hunter then removed his mask and opened fire.
A Targeted and Callous Attack
Stewart Pearson was injured in the initial gunfire. Webley, who was seen on CCTV holding a knife, ran but was shot in the back. Despite efforts by pub staff and customers to administer CPR, he was pronounced dead at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in the early hours of January 1, 2024.
Sentencing Hunter, judge Lord Mulholland stated the murder was committed for financial gain and to further serious organised crime. He branded Hunter a "paid assassin" and described his "callousness and arrogance" as breathtaking, noting he removed his mask so Webley would see who was killing him.
The court was told the murder weapon remains on the streets. A post-mortem revealed the fatal bullet had ricocheted off a stab vest Webley was wearing—a precaution he had taken after being warned his life was in danger.
Aftermath and Co-accused
Hunter's girlfriend, Emma McVie, admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by cleaning the inside of the stolen car and their clothes after the shooting. Co-accused Gary Robertson also pleaded guilty to the same charge for paying Hunter on behalf of others unknown.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC revealed that hours after the murder, Hunter had expressed frustration at waiting for his payment and joked about Webley's death, suggesting he expected a substantial sum for the killing.
Detective Superintendent Graham Grant said: "The violence involved... is absolutely senseless. Although this was a targeted attack, there was absolutely no regard for the safety of the community by discharging a firearm outside a busy pub on New Year’s Eve."
Lord Mulholland concluded by telling Hunter his "cowardly actions will haunt you for the rest of your life," leaving open the possibility he may never be released.
