Killer runs after guilty verdict

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BBC Scotland's David Henderson shows how Ross fled the court room

A soldier who was 15 when he murdered a waiter in an Orkney restaurant in 1994 fled court after being found guilty.

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 a court official and police.

The victim's relatives said they were pleased with the verdict. Ross faces a life term when sentenced in next month.

Michael Ross shot Shamsuddin Mahmood in 1994 Dark cloud over islanders Police reaction to verdict

His brother, Abul Shafuddin, said: "The family feel happy with the verdict and happy with the performance of the police.

"Justice has been done. We are grateful to all who worked to bring the accused to trial."

The jury found Ross, now of Inverness, guilty after a six-week trial.

After the majority verdict, Ross ran from the courtroom through a side door used only by court personnel, pursued by police.

He was stopped from 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.

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.

Lord Hardie said: "Mr Morison brought the accused to the ground and was injured in the process. Mr Morison is shaken, but all right and the accused is back in custody."

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Michael Ross kept his murderous past secret for 14 years

He told the jury: "I hope that the events of today haven't been too dramatic and too upsetting for you. I hope you are all right after that unexpected experience."

Lord Hardie told the jury that counselling would be available to them if they needed it, and excused them from sitting on a jury for life.

Earlier, the judge 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."

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.

The killing sparked one of Northern Constabulary's biggest 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.

This was a callous murder of an innocent young man who was well-known and liked within the town Andrew Laing Area procurator fiscal

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 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 said the person he saw had a gun and was wearing a balaclava or ski mask.

During the trial, the Crown claimed Ross was a racist, and this was the motivation behind the crime.

One witness said he overheard Ross saying: "Blacks should be shot and have a gun put at their head."

Prosecutor Brian McConnachie QC claimed there was circumstantial evidence which 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.

Northern Constabulary Det Insp Iain Smith, the officer who led the investigation team, described the shooting as a "shocking and sickening crime".

He added: "There is reason to believe that this dreadful crime was racially-motivated and I would like to take this opportunity to underline the force's commitment to tackling crimes of this nature."

'Cowardly act'

On Ross's former police officer father Eddie's actions, he said he believed they were those of a "father protecting his son".

Area procurator fiscal for the Highland and Islands, Andrew Laing, said: "This was a callous murder of an innocent young man who was well-known and liked within the town.

"This cowardly act shocked not only the local community but people throughout Scotland.

"My thoughts remain with Shamsuddin's family, who I know, since 1994, have been keen to see the perpetrator of this terrible crime brought to justice."

He added: "Prosecutors and officers from Northern Constabulary were determined that justice would be done in this case. Many people have worked on this investigation over the years and all will be satisfied with today's outcome.

"It is also appropriate to highlight the crucial part played by members of the public in Kirkwall and elsewhere who acted in great public spirit to assist the police and the court in coming forward and providing vital information."