Man who planned prosecutor’s death still has delusional disorder, court hears

A man convicted of plotting to kill a prosecutor after claiming he described himself as “evil Jesus” continues to suffer from a delusional disorder, a psychiatrist’s report to the court has shown.

Martin Ready, 41, was found guilty of attempting to conspire to murder Darren Harty by using cryptocurrency to pay a hitman on the dark web.

Between May 2021 and September 2022, Ready paid £5,071.24 in Bitcoin and sent instructions for Mr Harty to be shot.

The men knew each other from a pub owned by Mr Harty’s family in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, Ready’s defense barrister Brian McConnachie KC said the court had been presented with a report from forensic psychiatrist Dr Stuart Doig.

Mr McConnachie said: “According to Dr Doig, Mr Ready continues to suffer from delusional disorder.

“Dr Doig suggests that an interim enforcement order would be appropriate.”

Such orders allow a convicted person with a mental illness to be detained in a state hospital.

The defense lawyer said more reports were needed, along with verification of the availability of beds at the public hospital, for the decision to come into effect.

During the trial, Ready told the court he suffered from delusions that he was “evil Jesus” and believed Mr Harty’s murder would expose organized crime.

Prosecutor Erin Campbell said the Crown had applied for a non-harassment order.

Judge Lady Hood adjourned the case until November 21 at the High Court in Inverness.