Man admits street shooting murder

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A man has admitted gunning down a father-of-two at lunchtime in a busy Glasgow street in May last year.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that James McDonald, 36, was chased along Corkerhill Road in Cardonald and shot by Stuart Robertson, 28.

The incident was witnessed by a number of people who tried to save the victim before paramedics arrived.

Robertson admitted murdering Mr McDonald and sentence was deferred for background reports.

Fled the scene

The court heard that as Mr McDonald, of Hardridge Road, Corkerhill, fell to the ground Robertson walked up to him and shot him repeatedly on the top of the head.

Keith Stewart, prosecuting, said that Mr McDonald left his house about 1315 BST with a friend Steven Rankin.

A Land Rover Freelander with Robertson in the rear passenger seat drew up beside them.

One of the occupants shouted to Mr Rankin: "Stay out of the road, stupid."

Robertson got out and confronted Mr McDonald before producing a gun and firing it once.

Mr Stewart said: "Mr McDonald ran off northwards on Corkerhill Road pursued by Robertson, during which time a number of other shots were fired as he fled the scene.

At this time the road was busy with cars and pedestrians Keith StewartProsecuting

"Mr Rankin took cover behind a bus shelter.

"Robertson continued the chase, then stopped and beckoned the driver of the Freelander to pick him up.

"Robertson got back in the car and continued the pursuit. At this time the road was busy with cars and pedestrians."

The court heard that Mr McDonald frantically tried to get into passing vehicles.

Suddenly, the Freelander stopped nearby and Robertson got out, approached Mr McDonald and fired a number of shots at him from about one to two metres away.

Mr McDonald was hit by at least one of the shots and fell to the ground.

The accused then walked up to him and fired a number of shots at close range to the top of his head.

Robertson then got back in the Freelander which sped away. The murder weapon was never recovered.

Mr Stewart said witnesses were "deeply shocked and traumatised".

Judge Lord Brailsford deferred sentence until next month.

Robertson's defence counsel will give their plea in mitigation then.