Bradley Welsh death scene and shotgun pictures found on prison mobile phone

A PHOTOGRAPH of the location where Bradley Welsh died was found on a phone recovered from the jail cell of the man accused of murdering him, a court has heard.

Jurors saw an image of a floral tribute, police officers and forensic scene examiners wearing overalls at Chester Street in Edinburgh’s West End.

They had earlier heard how the T2 Trainspotting star Bradley Welsh was shot dead outside his flat in the street on April 17 2019.

Police Scotland analyst Evita O’Malley,43, said the image was found following an examination of a handset found in the prison accommodation used by Sean Orman. The court heard that police investigating the circumstances surrounding Welsh’s home found a shotgun at the man’s home

Gunned down on his own doorstep - Bradley Welsh

The jury were shown an exchange of messages made between who prosecutors say is Orman and this male

In a series of messages, the individual told Orman: “The gun is mine… Fact… I’m caught with it. Fact.”

The evidence emerged during the ninth day of proceedings against Orman, 30, of Edinburgh, who denies murdering Welsh two years ago.

During proceedings on Tuesday, Ms O’Malley said she had conducted checks and was satisfied that Orman and the man were the people exchanging messages over WhatsApp.

Tributes at the death scene

The jury were shown another set of messages made between the two men on October 30 2020.

In the message, the man told Orman that he gave a no comment interview to the police in June 2020. He said officers asked him about “guns” and “drugs” but didn’t ask him about “murder”.

In another exchange of messages, the man said he was at his home and was ‘safe and well’. He also asked Orman if he wanted a ‘video call’ to ‘see it’ and he later made reference to ‘grub’.

When Mr Goddard asked Ms O’Malley what ‘grub’ meant, she said: “I believe it’s a slang word for ammunition.”

The court heard Ms O’Malley found an email account on the phone which contained messages detailing a delivery of ‘macarons’ and ‘rainbow roses’ to Levi Begg, a woman who has previously given evidence in the trial.

When defence advocate Ian Duguid QC asked Ms O’Malley whether other people could have had access to the phone recovered from Orman’s cell, she said that it could be the case.

Mr Goddard told the court that he would close the Crown case on Wednesday morning, to be followed by Orman’s defence.

He added: “I do not intend to call any further witnesses.”

Orman has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murdering 48-year-old Welsh and 14 other charges.

Prosecutors have also brought other charges for alleged motoring offences, possessing ‘controlled’ drugs and breaching firearms legislation.

Prosecutors claim that on March 13 2019, at 1 Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh, Orman - “whilst acting along with others to the Prosecutor unknown” wore a mask and assaulted David McMillan,50, by striking him to the head and body with a machete or “similar instrument.”

It’s claimed that the assault was to Mr McMillan’s “severe injury” and “permanent” impairment and that Orman attempted to murder him.

It’s also alleged on the same date at the same location Orman assaulted Mr McMillan’s 25-year-old son, also named David, by striking him on the body with a machete or similar instrument to his injury.

On the same date, the Crown claims that Orman did “with intent” to conceal his “guilt” in respect of his alleged attempted murder of Mr McMillan, by setting fire to an Audi A5 car.

It’s claimed he did this “in an attempt to destroy evidence and to avoid detection and prosecution” for the alleged assaults on both Mr McMillans.

On April 17 2019, at 3a Chester Street, Edinburgh, prosecutors claim Orman murdered Welsh by firing a shotgun at him.

The Crown allege that on April 22 2019, on the A720 City of Edinburgh bypass, Orman failed to stop a car after being “required to do so” by the police.

It’s claimed that on the same date, on the City of Edinburgh bypass and at other locations in the city, Orman drove at speeds up to 123 miles per hour in a 70mph zone.

Prosecutors say in this charge that Orman drove on Wester Hailes Road at speeds exceeding 80mph and drove on the opposite side of the road. It’s also alleged that he drove around a roundabout in an “anti clockwise” direction.

In this charge, prosecutors also claim that Orman drove on Stevenson Drive on the wrong side of the road and at speeds exceeding 88mph when the limit was “20 into 30 miles per hour”.

The charge also states that in Dundee Terrace, Orman is alleged to have driven at speeds exceeding 70mph in a 30 mph zone whilst being pursued by a ‘marked” police car with flashing blue lights and its klaxon sounding directing him to stop.

He allegedly drove the car at this time without having insurance and had heroin and Diazepam in his possession.

His legal team have lodged two special defences to the court.

In relation to the alleged assaults on the McMillans, Orman claims a man called Michael Sutherland “and others.. unknown” were responsible for the alleged attacks.

Mr Orman’s legal team claims that at the time Welsh was shot, he was not in Chester Street but was “elsewhere” travelling alone on a “cycle” between Longstone and Kirknewton, Midlothian.

The trial, before Lord Beckett at the High Court in Edinburgh, continues.

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