Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a man who was tragically killed in a case of mistaken identity in Inverclyde. The victim, Michael Beaton, was first struck by a car driven by his best friend before being attacked with a machete.
A Fatal Case of Mistaken Identity
The High Court in Glasgow heard that the violent incident occurred on 26 November 2023 on Drumfrochar Road in Greenock. Michael Beaton, 35, had been with his friend, Richard Mullan, 21, searching for another man, Alexander McQuillan, 27.
Prosecutor David McLean KC stated that the death was "a case of mistaken identity", with McQuillan being the intended target. After a chase, Mullan deliberately used his car as a weapon, striking Mr Beaton repeatedly before driving away from the scene.
Brutal and Callous Attack
As Mr Beaton lay seriously injured on the ground, Alexander McQuillan approached. The court was told that McQuillan had been heard laughing and referencing the victim being hit by "his own pal". He then opportunistically attacked the defenceless man in the face with a machete.
Emergency services rushed Mr Beaton to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, but he was pronounced dead later that evening.
Life Sentences Handed Down
At earlier hearings, both Mullan and McQuillan pleaded guilty to separate murder charges. On Tuesday 13 January 2026, they were both handed mandatory life sentences.
Richard Mullan was ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years in prison. Alexander McQuillan received a longer minimum term of 18 years.
Passing sentence, Judge Lord Cubie condemned the actions of both men. He told Mullan: "You drove not once but twice, in a deliberate and brutal act of extreme violence using your car as a deadly weapon, you drove away leaving your victim to his fate."
Addressing McQuillan, the judge said he had attacked Mr Beaton "opportunistically and callously" with a machete while others tried to help. Lord Cubie added that the consequences for Mr Beaton's family, particularly his children, had been "devastating".
Remorse and Mitigation
Brian McConnachie KC, representing Mullan, told the court that Mr Beaton had been his client's best friend and a father figure, despite their age gap. He said Mullan was burdened by the fact he had "effectively killed his best friend" and wished to express his sorrow and apology to the family.
Thomas Ross KC, for McQuillan, conceded his client's actions "demonstrate a level of callousness that it is simply impossible to mitigate". However, he stated that McQuillan now felt some sympathy for the Beaton family.
The case highlights a shocking chain of violence where the pursuit of one man led to the brutal killing of another, leaving a family shattered and two perpetrators facing decades behind bars.
