Two men have admitted to murdering Michael Beaton in a brutal attack characterized by mistaken identity and extreme violence. Alexander McQuillan (27) and Richard Mullan (21) each pleaded guilty to the killing of the 35-year-old on Drumfrochar Road in Greenock on November 26, 2023.
The case took a grotesque twist. Richard Mullan drove a car at Mr Beaton multiple times, believing he was targeting McQuillan. After the car attack, McQuillan then struck Mr Beaton in the face with a machete. Emergency services were called to the scene just after 7pm, but Mr Beaton was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital later that evening.
Court acknowledges dual responsibility
Lord Cubie, presiding over the case at the High Court in Glasgow, emphasized the individual culpability of both defendants. He told Mullan: «In a grotesque twist you thought you were driving it at Mr McQuillan.» The judge addressed both men directly: «You have each accepted responsibility for the murder of Michael Beaton – each in different ways.»
The events leading to the killing revealed a deadly case of mistaken identity. Mullan and Mr Beaton had been searching for McQuillan in Greenock that day. Mr Beaton had chased McQuillan and other men before being struck by the car driven by Mullan, who intended to hit McQuillan instead.
Lord Cubie stressed the devastating impact on the victim's family. «The consequences to the family are devastating,» he said. «And each of you are responsible for that.» Sentencing has been deferred to December to allow for justice social work reports to be prepared.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
