Greenock dad murdered by pal in bizarre case of 'mistaken identity'
Michael Beaton(Image: Police Scotland )Two thugs are facing life in jail after a man was mowed down in a case of "mistaken identity" before being attacked with a machete as he lay stricken.Alexander McQuillan, 27, and Richard Mullan, 21, pled guilty to separate murder charges in connection with the death of Michael Beaton, 35, in Greenock on November 26, 2023.In a bizarre, but fatal set of circumstances, Mullan and Mr Beaton seemed to be targeting McQuillan in the town that night.Mr Beaton initially chased McQuillan and an associate on foot.Andrew McQuillan admitted murdering Michael Beaton, 35, in 2023(Image: Police Scotland)Mullan was in a stolen Audi Q2 and drove at speed planning to hit McQuillan - but struck Mr Beaton instead.Not realising his error, he then ploughed into him a second time.McQuillan took refuge in a nearby close, but, on seeing Mr Beaton badly hurt, he struck him repeatedly with a machete and stated: "You'll not do something like that again in a hurry".The killers had pled guilty to murder at earlier hearings.Prosecutor David McLean KC today at the High Court in Glasgow revealed the background to events for the first time.He said Mullan and Mr Beaton had been out in Greenock on that night "apparently searching" for McQuillan.Mr Beaton had been driving a red Ford Fiesta.Mullan was behind the wheel of a stolen white Audi Q2 which had false number plates.McQullian and a friend were out in the town around 7.15pm.At same time, Mr Beaton and Mullan were in their cars nearby.Mr Beaton stopped his motor.McQuillan and his associate then approached Mr Beaton's Ford.The victim then got out his vehicle where there was seen to be a "verbal exchange" between the three men.McQuillan and his friend then sprinted off as Mr Beaton chased on foot with the engine to his Ford still running.Mr McLean then explained: "Mullan - in his Audi - turned around and drove."As McQuillan, his associate and Mr Beaton were running in the town's Drumfochar Road, they were closely followed by the Audi, which was travelling at speed on the wrong side of the road."Mullan intended to strike McQuillan, but instead hit Mr Beaton, who was thrown onto the far side of the road."A voice could be heard on a CCTV recording saying; 'ha, ha, he has just done his own pal'."Mr Beaton was badly hurt and curled up on the road.McQuillan meantime hid in a close.Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.All you have to do is click here, select 'Join Community' and you're in!We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.Mullan - who still believed he had hit McQuillan - then turned around his Audi to try and hit him again.Mr Beaton saw this and tried to stagger to the pavement - but was struck for a second time.He was flung down the road and this time lay motionless on the pavement.Mullan raced off damaging a traffic control box on his way.Mr McLean: "Mullan intended to kill the person he struck albeit his intended target was, in fact, McQuillan."It is not known when he realised his mistake."Witnesses went to help Mr Beaton. McQuillan came out of the close he was in clutching a machete.He jogged over to the victim with others thinking he was also going to assist him.But, Mr McLean said: "They heard McQuillan say to Mr Beaton; 'You'll not do something like that again in a hurry'."He then struck him several times with the machete before moving away."McQuillan jumped into Mr Beaton's vehicle initially stopping at a car park, then his sister's home before going to his own house.Mr McLean: "McQuillan's actions were, at least, wickedly reckless."Mr Beaton was rushed to hospital - he was completely unconscious.Emergency surgery was carried out, but he did not survive.He was found to have multiple injuries as a result of being hit by the Audi as well as a number of wounds from being hit by the machete.The court heard Mr Beaton died from a combination of injuries.McQuillan already had a lengthy list of convictions - he was once jailed for three years at the high court for aggravated assault.Mullan was arrested having initially gone to Spain after the killing.Lord Cubie continued their remand in custody as sentencing was deferred until December 12 in Inverness.He told the pair they had each accepted murdering Mr Beaton in a "shocking way" and that it was a "grotesque twist" Mullan thought he had been driving at McQuillan.
