Gun plot hatched out of greed

Published on Wednesday 13 January 2010 08:59

A PROPERTY developer who masterminded the shooting of a city businessman outside the Maybury Casino racked up huge debts bankrolling a playboy lifestyle with his sauna worker mistress.

•(From left to right) Imran Sakur, Jamie Robertson, Craig Kelbie and Francis McGlone

Married father-of-three Imran Sakur showered his girlfriend with expensive gifts and holidays and set her up in her own flat.

The 35-year-old became besotted with the younger woman after meeting her when she worked as a prostitute in a city centre sauna, using the name "Erica".

But his desperation to impress her led him to spend beyond his means, adding to his gambling debts.

Yesterday, Sakur was found guilty of a murder plot which ended with Tony Demarco being shot in the head.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Sakur ordered the hit after falling into debt to Mr Demarco, 63, by taking loans to maintain his lifestyle, although Sakur and the businessman both denied this in court.

A jury found Sakur and his three co-accused, Jamie Robertson, 25, Craig Kelbie, 35, and Francis McGlone, 39, guilty of conspiracy to murder and attempted murder.

Underworld sources said it was Sakur's infatuation with "Erica" – whom the Evening News has decided not to name – that helped fuel heavy debts which he was unable to pay back.

A source said: "He was borrowing money to lavish gifts and holidays on Erica, as well as a waterside apartment in Dundee."

The trial also heard that Sakur had blown 40,000 at the Maybury Casino in the run-up to the shooting on 3 June, 2008.

Mr Demarco was shot in the head at close range by Robertson while Sakur stood a few feet away, laughing and joking with the victim beforehand. The businessman survived with a bullet in his cheek.

Mr Demarco repeatedly denied that Sakur owed him money. Other witnesses spoke of Sakur's money worries and named Mr Demarco as one of his creditors.

Around the time of the shooting, Sakur was involved in an unconnected civil court action over a 1.5 million deal which had gone sour.

Detective Inspector Bobby Deas, who led the investigation, said: "These individuals were engaged in a cold-blooded conspiracy to murder . . . they are dangerous men."

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