Alness man admits murder of Inverness father Ross MacGillivray at High Court in Glasgow
Two men, one from Alness, have admitted murdering an Inverness father in a brutal attack.
Craig Hayden (30), from Alness, and Leon Headey (23), from Liverpool, killed Ross MacGillivray at a property in St Ninian Drive in the Dalneigh area of Inverness on November 11, 2023.
The fatal assault included the 36 year-old being restrained, punched, kicked and stamped upon.
The pair had been due to stand trial at the High Court in Glasgow, but admitted to their guilt today.
Samantha Jane MacGillivray - said to have been Mr MacGillivray’s "estranged wife" - had also faced the murder accusation.
But her not guilty plea to that charge was accepted.
The 33 year-old instead admitted to a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice in connection with events after the killing.
Two other men joined them in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.
Lee Fraser (34) and Thomas Hooson (29) did not face the murder charge but pleaded guilty to the aggravated assault of a man in Alness on October 25, 2023.
Headey also admitted to being involved in that attack.
The case was continued until a later date when prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC is expected to reveal further background and details to the crimes.
Samantha Jane MacGillivray's lawyer, Shelagh McCall KC, had asked for her client to remain on bail meantime.
The advocate included in her submission that her client - who had three children with the victim - had since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome.
But judge Lord Scott stated: "Given the serious nature of the charge, I am not prepared for bail to be continued."
All five were remanded in custody.
Mr McGillivray's grieving relatives had released a statement via Police Scotland following his death.
It read: "Ross was a loving husband, a doting father, loved by his family and friends and all who met him.
"He will be especially missed but definitely not forgotten. We love you to the Moon, the stars, Jupiter and Mars.”