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Killer runs after guilty verdict Killer runs after guilty verdict
(20 minutes later)
A soldier who was just 15 when a waiter was "assassinated" in Orkney in 1994 has been found guilty of the murder. A soldier who was just 15 when a waiter was "assassinated" in an Orkney restaurant in 1994 fled after being found guilty of the murder.
Sgt Michael Ross, 29, who became a Black Watch sniper, had denied shooting 26-year-old Shamsuddin Mahmood.Sgt Michael Ross, 29, who became a Black Watch sniper, had denied shooting 26-year-old Shamsuddin Mahmood.
As he was being led away at the High Court in Glasgow, Ross jumped out of the dock and managed to escape. He was caught by police officers. As he was being led away at the High Court in Glasgow, Ross jumped out of the dock and managed to escape. He was caught by a court official and police.
The jury returned the verdict on Ross, now of Inverness, after a six-week trial. He now faces a life sentence. The jury found Ross, now of Inverness, guilty after a six-week trial.
After the verdict Ross ran from the courtroom through a side door used only by court personnel, pursued by police. He now faces a life sentence, and will be sentenced next month.
After the verdict, Ross ran from the courtroom through a side door used only by court personnel, pursued by police.
He was stopped by escaping further by court official Gordon Morison who grabbed Ross and held onto him until police arrived seconds later, handcuffed him and took him down to the cells.He was stopped by escaping further by court official Gordon Morison who grabbed Ross and held onto him until police arrived seconds later, handcuffed him and took him down to the cells.
Judge's praiseJudge's praise
Mr Morison is thought to have suffered carpet burns to his face, but was otherwise unhurt.Mr Morison is thought to have suffered carpet burns to his face, but was otherwise unhurt.
He was later taken to trial judge Lord Hardie's chambers, where he was praised.He was later taken to trial judge Lord Hardie's chambers, where he was praised.
Ross will be sentenced next month. Lord Hardie told first offender Ross: "In view of the verdict of the jury and the fact you have no previous convictions, I require a social inquiry report before sentencing you."
Lord Hardie told the first offender: "In view of the verdict of the jury and the fact you have no previous convictions, I require a social inquiry report before sentencing you." Mr Mahmood, born in Bangladesh, was shot in the head in Kirkwall's Mumutaz restaurant in full view of a room full of diners, including families with children, by a masked gunman in June, 1994.
Mr Mahmood was shot in the head in Kirkwall's Mumutaz restaurant in full view of a room full of diners, including families with children, by a masked gunman.
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Police have released scene of crime video of the murder scene, showing a bullet hole in the wall and a jacket on the ground covered by a sheetPolice have released scene of crime video of the murder scene, showing a bullet hole in the wall and a jacket on the ground covered by a sheet
The killing sparked one of Northern Constabulary's biggest ever investigations.The killing sparked one of Northern Constabulary's biggest ever investigations.
Ross's father - police officer Eddie Ross who was called to the scene of the shooting - was later jailed for four years for trying to defeat the ends of justice.Ross's father - police officer Eddie Ross who was called to the scene of the shooting - was later jailed for four years for trying to defeat the ends of justice.
Edmund Ross was earlier jailed for four years
The charge was that he withheld information from investigating officers over ammunition he found in his own home. It resembled the cartridge used to kill the waiter.The charge was that he withheld information from investigating officers over ammunition he found in his own home. It resembled the cartridge used to kill the waiter.
Edmund Ross was earlier jailed for four years
The murder remained unsolved, but a breakthrough in the case came when new witness Willie Grant came forward.The murder remained unsolved, but a breakthrough in the case came when new witness Willie Grant came forward.
He claimed he saw who he believed may have been Michael Ross coming out of a cubicle in public toilets on the night of the shooting.He claimed he saw who he believed may have been Michael Ross coming out of a cubicle in public toilets on the night of the shooting.
He said the person he saw had a gun and was wearing a balaclava or ski mask.He said the person he saw had a gun and was wearing a balaclava or ski mask.
The Crown claimed all the circumstantial evidence proved his guilt, but the defence asked if a boy of 15 could have committed the crime. Prosecutor Brian McConnachie QC claimed during the trial that all the circumstantial evidence proved Ross's guilt.
However, defence counsel Donald Findlay QC asked the jury if a boy of 15 could have committed such a calm and professional killing.
The court heard that Ross had later been praised for his bravery while serving in Iraq.