A SCOTS prosecutor claimed he was stunned that a customer at his family's pub planned to assassinate him. Darren Harty, 37, gave evidence yesterday at the trial of Martin Ready, 41, at the High Court in Glasgow . 4 Darren Harty gave evidence at Martin Ready's trial at the High Court in Glasgow Credit: PA:Press Association 4 Ready is charged with teaming up with others via the dark web to target the lawyer Credit: Alamy 4 The prosecutor claimed he was he was stunned to learn of the alleged murder plot against him by a customer at his family's pub (STOCK IMAGE) Credit: Alamy 4 Documents say Ready accessed a "dark" website called the Online Killers Market under the username "Harry Brown" Credit: Getty Ready is charged with attempting to conspire to murder Mr Harty by teaming up with others via the dark web to target the lawyer.
It is alleged to have occurred between May 29 2021 and September 15 2022 at an address in North Lanarkshire . A joint minute of agreed evidence stated that Ready set up and used cryptocurrency accounts at the time. The document says Read accessed a "dark" website called the Online Killers Market under the username "Harry Brown.
" READ MORE SCOTTISH CRIME MACHETE HORROR Moment man is brutally hacked up by Glasgow machete gang as thugs jailed COP CAGED Ex-cop jailed over 'appalling' domestic abuse & added to sex offenders list It is claimed a total of 0.2913 Bitcoin - valued at £5,071 - was transferred to the administrator of the Online Killers Market "as payment" for the "assassination" of Mr Harty. Ready pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to conspire with another or others to murder Mr Harty.
He has lodged a special defence of lacking criminal responsibility. The court heard from Mr Harty who claimed that he knew Ready as a customer from his family 's pub in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire , where he worked before starting university in 2014. Most read in The Scottish Sun 'SLEEP PEACEFULLY' BGT star who performed alongside David Walliams dies aged 51 MORAY MANIA Cops called amid huge queues as fizzy drink re-launch causes chaos CAST AWAY Shutters down as Rangers kit makers suddenly CLOSE flagship Scottish store FRENCH CONNECTION Celtic 'make offer for Lyon star' who came through PSG academy Dramatic moment drug smugglers leap from boat in failed escape bid after being caught with £37m of cocaine by officers He stated that he was familiar with Ready because he did not drink alcohol, but instead drank coffee.
Mr Harty told jurors that he became aware of a police investigation into Ready in September 2022. Prosecutor Erin Campbell asked Mr Harty if he was aware that it was a conspiracy to murder and he replied: "Yes." Miss Campbell then asked the witness if he knew any reason why this might be and Mr Harty replied: "None whatsoever.
" Miss Campbell: "How did you feel?" Mr Harty: "Stunned, shocked, it happened on a works night out. It wasn't something I was expecting. "I was on a works night out when the police came to me.
I was completely bewildered with the idea." Jurors were told that Ready downloaded an image two weeks before of Mr Harty from the internet onto his phone. Brian McConnachie KC, defending, asked Mr Harty if he saw Ready at the pub between 2014 and 2022.
He replied: "It is possible. We were not friends, it's not something that sticks in my mind seeing him on previous occasions. He may have been around.
" The advocate later asked if he knew two named families from Coatbridge which he replied: "Yes." Mr McConnachie said: "Have you been involved in money laundering for the families?" Read more on the Scottish Sun MORAY MANIA Cops called amid huge queues as fizzy drink re-launch causes chaos MURRAY MAKEOVER Andy Murray hit with fresh warning over renovations at luxury Cromlix hotel Mr Harty replied: "Absolutely not." The trial continues before Judge Lady Hood.
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