Nwicker60
24-Apr-12, 08:44
Drugs gang leader wanted to make captive "swim with the fishes" alleges detective
A PORTUGUESE court has heard further threats, allegedly made by the leader of a gang to murder Wick man James Ross.
Steven Johnson (49) and four co-accused are at the centre of a trial at Loule accused of abducting 28-year-old Mr Ross and torturing him over a drug debt.
The court heard evidence from police inspector, Felicio Pedro, who set up a wiretap on Johnston’s phone at his home, known as Big Trouble, in the Montijo area of Portugal. Mr Pedro said he heard Johnson push the other men to “rush things because I have the police on me” and “make him swim with the fishes” which, he said, indicated intent to kill Mr Ross.
The prosecution claims that Mr Ross, of Gunn’s Terrace, Wick, was lured to Alvarve, in October 2010, with the promise of a job growing cannabis, to pay off a £10,000 debt but was abducted from Faro airport on his arrival. It is alleged he had an ear, fingers and toes cut off, a testicle severed and tendons slashed, at a remote village in the holiday region of the Algarve during his captivity.
The trial continues.
A PORTUGUESE court has heard further threats, allegedly made by the leader of a gang to murder Wick man James Ross.
Steven Johnson (49) and four co-accused are at the centre of a trial at Loule accused of abducting 28-year-old Mr Ross and torturing him over a drug debt.
The court heard evidence from police inspector, Felicio Pedro, who set up a wiretap on Johnston’s phone at his home, known as Big Trouble, in the Montijo area of Portugal. Mr Pedro said he heard Johnson push the other men to “rush things because I have the police on me” and “make him swim with the fishes” which, he said, indicated intent to kill Mr Ross.
The prosecution claims that Mr Ross, of Gunn’s Terrace, Wick, was lured to Alvarve, in October 2010, with the promise of a job growing cannabis, to pay off a £10,000 debt but was abducted from Faro airport on his arrival. It is alleged he had an ear, fingers and toes cut off, a testicle severed and tendons slashed, at a remote village in the holiday region of the Algarve during his captivity.
The trial continues.