Tag: Hogmanay 2023

Anchor shootings: Webley murderer jailed for life

A gunman who murdered a gangland rival outside a Granton pub on Hogmanay 2023 has been jailed for life.

Grant Hunter, 34, shot Marc Webley outside the Anchor Inn just before midnight on New Year’s Eve two years ago.

Hunter pleaded guilty to murdering Webley and attempting to murder a second man, Stuart Pearson, who was also shot but survived his injuries. Hunter will serve a minimum of 26 years for the crime but was told he may never be released.

Hunter approached Marc Webley and Stuart Pearson outside the pub, where he produced a gun and fired four shots at the men. Stuart Pearson was injured but Marc Webley died from his injuries in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Jailing Hunter for a minimum of 26 years, Judge Lord Mulholland said: “You fired four shots which showed beyond any doubt that you wanted him dead.

“You shot another man who could have came to his aid which shows further intent.

“It is blatantly sinister that you wanted your victim to see your face which is an aggravating factor. In doing so you removed your mask and this was your undoing as the police knew you and people knew you which led to your swift arrest.

“The public are grateful to the police and forensic scientists for bringing you to justice.

“Gangsterism is not acceptable in a civilised society – this is a civilised society. The public will not put up with this gangsterism and the courts will not put up with it.

“Anyone going to court for carrying out this type of criminality can expect a lengthy prison sentence.

“As I said to you previously, this is not Chicago of the 1930s. Scotland is a civilised place without tolerance for gangsterism.

“You have left a mother without a son and two boys without a father. Your cowardly actions will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

Man convicted of Marc Webley murder

A 34-year-old man has been convicted of murder following the death of Marc Webley in Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve, 2023.

Grant Hunter (pictured below) pleaded guilty to murdering the 38-year-old and the attempted murder of a second man, aged 39, subsequently named as Stuart Pearson, at the High Court in Edinburgh today, (Thursday, 13 November, 2025).

Two other people, Emma McVie, 35, and Gary Robertson, 22, both also pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the incident.

Robertson admitted supplying cash in the build-up to the murder, as well as helping to dispose of a firearm afterwards, while McVie (pictured below) admitted attempting to destroy evidence.

Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Hogmanay (Sunday, 31 December, 2023), after a firearm was discharged outside the Anchor Inn on West Granton Road.

Mr Webley and the 39-year-old man were taken to hospital, where Marc Webley was pronounced dead a short time later.

Detective Superintendent Graham Grant, senior investigating officer, said: “The violence involved in this case, which resulted in the death of a young man, is absolutely senseless.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Marc Webley today following these convictions.

“Although this was a targeted attack, there was absolutely no regard for the safety of the local community by discharging a firearm outside a busy pub on New Year’s Eve.

“One man lost his life and another was seriously injured but this incident could also have left other people seriously injured – or worse – and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Violence and the carrying of firearms is completely unacceptable.

“I believe these convictions sends a message to those involved in serious criminality that we remain determined to bring you to justice.

“This was a complex investigation involving a range of specialist officers working closely with our partners.

“I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.”

Hunter, McVie, and Robertson are all due to be sentenced at a later date.