Dad-of-one guilty of killing man in lane off Longstone Road

A man has been found guilty for the murder of a man near a Hearts supporters club in Longstone.

Mark Squires was killed in a lane near the Hearts supporters club at Longstone. Picture: TSPL/Police Scotland

Dad-of-one Nico Allan, 24, attacked 44-year-old Mark Squires in a lane close to the Longstone Inn at Longstone Road on October 22 last year.

Mr Squires had been attending a charity night at the nearby Hearts supporters club to raise money for a friend who had recently died.

A friend of Mr Squires said they were waiting outside for a taxi at the end of the night when three men approached.

He said the men “swarmed” on Mr Squires and aimed kicks at his head and body.

At Edinburgh’s High Court, Allan denied murdering Mark Squires but was found guilty.

Allan, a first offender, was told by Lord Tyre he can expect a lengthy jail sentence: “By the verdict of the jury you have been convicted of the murder of Mark Squires. The sentence for murder is a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.”

A background report will be prepared on Allan ahead of sentencing next month.