Bradley Welsh murder accused 'lied' to lawyer about where he was on night of shooting

The man accused of murdering T2 Trainspotting star Bradley Welsh ‘lied’ to his lawyers about where he was on the night the actor died, a court has heard.

Gunned down: Bradley Welsh

Sean Orman, 30, told prosecution lawyer Richard Goddard QC that he ‘made up’ an account of riding a motorcycle between Edinburgh and East Calder on April 17 2019.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Welsh, 48, was shot dead outside his home on Chester Street in the city that night.

A jury heard how lawyers acting for Orman lodged a special defence last year to the court which stated that on April 17, he was riding a motorcycle between the capital city and East Calder.

However, the jury heard on Wednesday how at the start of proceedings 10 days ago, Orman’s legal team lodged another special defence of alibi. This one stated that on the night Welsh died, Orman was alone and riding a bicycle between Edinburgh and Kirknewton, West Lothian.

On Wednesday, Orman spoke about his initial defence of alibi.

He said: “I made it up to my lawyers.”

Mr Goddard asked why he had ‘lied’ to his legal team. Orman said he believed the Crown hadn’t been dealing with him honestly.

He said: “You’ve charged me with things I’ve never done so you’re not playing fair.”

He added: “I didn’t want to tell you before my trial. I knew it was coming to you.

“I didn’t want it being fiddled with.”

Orman was giving evidence in his own defence on the 10th day of proceedings against him. He denies murdering Bradley Welsh two years ago.

On Tuesday, Orman denied having anything to do with Welsh’s death.

When Mr Goddard described the evidence against him, Orman said that he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

Mr Goddard asked him whether he was the victim of ‘bad luck’ or whether his claims were ‘unbelievable’, Orman replied: “It’s bad luck. I never done the things you say I’ve done. It’s not unbelievable. It’s been bad luck from start to finish.”

Earlier in the case, a witness called Dean White gave evidence saying he told Police Scotland in March 2019 that Orman was being paid by a man called George Baigrie to attack Mr Welsh.

Mr White also told the police that Orman had a shotgun.

The court heard how Mr White’s statements to the police matched evidence about items which were alleged to have been used in Mr Welsh’s death. These items were said to be the weapon, vehicle and equipment.

Mr Goddard told Orman that the evidence supplied by Mr White showed that he had been a credible witness.

He added: “He can’t predict the future.”

But Orman claimed Mr White had been lying. He replied: “He might have a crystal ball.”

Orman also denied receiving money from George Baigrie.

He is now facing two charges to which he pleaded not guilty at the start of proceedings.

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 that Orman attempted to murder him.

Mr Orman’s legal team have lodged two special defences to the court.

In relation to the alleged attempted murder bid on Mr McMillan, Orman claims a man called Michael Sutherland “and others.. unknown” were responsible for the alleged attack.

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

The trial continues on Thursday.

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