Murder plot accused 'begged shooting victim for cash'

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 08:37

A MAN accused of hatching a murder plot begged the intended victim for help just weeks after a shooting at a Capital casino, a trial heard today.

The High Court in Edinburgh was told that Imran Sakur, 35, was under threat because of money he owed and hiding out in a Princes Street hotel.

Restaurant owner Saleem Shikari, 43, said he had received phone calls from desperate Sakur.

"There are a couple of guys looking for me and they are not nice people. They come from England and they are very dangerous," Sakur told him.

The court heard that businessman Tony Demarco, who had survived a gunshot to the head outside the Gala Maybury Casino on 3 June last year also got a call for help.

Mr Shikari said Mr Demarco provided 20,000 to help out Sakur, solving the problem for him.

Sakur is one of four men who deny conspiracy to murder and attempted murder, while acting with an un-named accomplice.

In the dock are Francis McGlone, 39, of Lochfield Crescent, Paisley; Jamie Robertson, 25, of Stock Street, Paisley; Imran Sakur, 35, of Elcho Drive, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, and Craig Kelbie, 35, of Saggar Street, Dundee.

The charge claims that the murder plot began in April last year when Sakur is alleged to have approached Kelbie about recruiting others to make the hit.

Then Kelbie is supposed to have approached Robertson and McGlone, asking them to track down Mr Demarco in return for payment.

It is alleged that the four met and exchanged phone calls, discussing possible ways to carry out the attack.

Then on 3 June last year Robertson and McGlone are alleged to have taken a firearm to the casino, at the Maybury Roundabout where Robertson pulled the trigger.

McGlone also faces charges under the Firearms Act accusing him of possessing ammunition at a house in Paisley.

McGlone claims he was at home on the night of the shooting and Robertson and Sakur have lodged notices in court blaming others – named only as "Kev" in Robertson's case and the other man named by Sakur's lawyers as Shahid Aslam.

The trial continues.