Murder bid accused 'just meant to scare him'

A BUSINESSMAN shot in the head at close range was only supposed to get "a slap", a trial heard yesterday.

Imran Sakur, 35, the alleged mastermind behind a murder conspiracy, only wanted to frighten Tony Demarco, said defence QC Brian McConnachie.

He had no idea that a firearm would be involved.

The shooting outside Edinburgh's Maybury Casino on 3 June 2008 was supposedly linked to a debt Sakur owed Mr Demarco, 63.

But in his closing speech Mr McConnachie pointed out that Mr Demarco had denied there was any such debt.

Sakur blames another man, said to have been thousands of pounds in debt, for trying to get Mr Demarco killed, but admits he played a part in arranging the casino ambush.

Mr McConnachie told the jury: "I am not asking you to acquit Sakur but to convict him of what he did – conspire to procure an assault."

Sakur is accused of using his tenant, Craig Kelbie – who also calls himself Craig Wallace – to recruit a hit-man.

Kelbie, 35, also denies knowing that Mr Demarco was to be shot. His QC, Jamie Gilchrist, told jurors: "None of what the Crown say Craig Wallace did required knowledge of what was going to happen."

Four men are accused of conspiracy to murder and attempting to murder Mr Demarco.

Labourer Francis McGlone, 39, of Lochfield Crescent, Paisley, denies being the getaway driver.

Bricklayer Jamie Robertson of Stock Street, Paisley, denies firing the near-fatal shot.

Property developer Sakur of Elcho Drive, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, denies masterminding the plot.

Kelbie, of Saggar Street, Dundee, denies recruiting Robertson to make the hit.

The jury are expected to be asked to consider their verdicts on Monday.