A MURDER accused teenager is behind bars today charged with repeatedly striking Greenock man Michael Beaton with car — a day after allegedly trying to kill two other men.
Richard Mullan 19 — who is the third accused to have been arrested in connection with Mr Beaton's death last November — appeared from custody at the sheriff court yesterday afternoon.
Prosecutos say that he, whilst acting with another, drove a white Audi at excessive speed on Drumfrochar Road near its junction with Cornhaddock Street, drove it along pavements and used it to kill 35-year-old Mr Beaton.
The charge against Mullan — who is also accused of trying to defeat justice — alleges that he 'did murder him'.
Mr Beaton was found seriously injured on Drumfrochar Road at around 7.20pm on November 26 last year.
He was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.
Prosecutors say Mullan, knowing he had assaulted and knocked down a pedestrian, drove off in the vehicle before setting fire to it on Crawberry Road in an attempt to destroy evidence, avoid detection and defeat the ends of justice.
Mullan, of Grieve Road, faces a separate charge of attempting to murder two other men the day before the alleged attack on Mr Beaton.
He reportedly drove the same vehicle at excessive speed on Broomhill Street near St Patrick’s Primary School on November 25, mounting the pavement and attempting to strike the pair.
The charge alleges that he attempted to murder both men.
Mullan was on a bail order from Greenock Sheriff Court at the time of the alleged offences, according to the Crown.
He appeared in court on petition at a private hearing yesterday afternoon.
Mullan made no plea and was remanded in custody by Sheriff Sheena Fraser, who committed the case for further examination.
He is due to return to court within the next eight days.
A large police cordon was set up around Drumfrochar Road and Cornhaddock Street in the wake of Mr Beaton’s death, with forensics officers seen combing the scene.
St Patrick’s Primary School was also closed for two days in the aftermath.
In early December last year, 25-year-old Alexander McQuillan appeared in court charged with Mr Beaton’s murder, as well as an alleged threatening or abusive behaviour offence and theft of a motor vehicle.
A few weeks later, Lewis Wiggins, 22, was charged with murder, attempted murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
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