Knife thug found guilty of hero’s murder

By GRANT MCCABE AND WILMA RILEY
Published on 22/11/2012 01:47

A KNIFE thug has been convicted for a second time of murdering a decorated war hero.

Barry McGrory, 31, stabbed to death Scots Guardsman Paul McGee with a seven-inch blade he called his “baby”.

Mr McGee died in his mother’s arms after the attack outside the family’s home in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, in October 2009.

A jury yesterday returned a unanimous guilty verdict on McGrory following a retrial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Paul’s relieved family and friends – including his mum Anne and sister Kelly – cheered loudly at the decision.

McGrory had originally been convicted two years ago but appeal judges later quashed the verdict.

One of the points raised by the killer’s lawyers was that a juror had been wearing a Help for Heroes wristband.

Judge John Beckett QC yesterday ordered the killer to serve a minimum 20 years behind bars – the same jail-term he got in 2010.

He said the victim, 28, was a “brave and decent young man” who suffered a “horrifying” attack.

Callous McGrory shouted to relatives “keep fighting it – we’ll appeal again”

Mr McGee – an Iraq war veteran – had previously been commended for bravery after trying to save a colleague.