THREE men accused of shooting an innocent bystander during an

underworld feud were cleared of murder yesterday.

The target of the attack in Craigneuk, Lanarkshire, on August 25 last

year was Mr Alan Murdoch, 29, who was shot in the leg.

Mr Douglas Bryce, 21 died after being shot as he helped Mr Murdoch

start his car. Mr Bryce bled to death after a 9mm bullet went through

his neck, nicking his jugular vein.

Yesterday at Glasgow High Court, the three men accused of the murder

of Mr Bryce and the attempted murder of Mr Murdoch, were acquitted after

an eight-day trial. They were Mr William Longmire, 32, of The Broadway,

Craigneuk, Mr John McNeil, 27, of Heathfield, Wishaw, and Mr Derek

McCreaddie, 19, of Tinto Crescent, also Wishaw.

Mr Longmire and Mr McNeil lodged a special defence claiming that Mr

Murdoch had shot Mr Bryce. There were suggestions he had then turned the

gun on himself.

Mr Longmire and Mr McNeil were also acquitted of the attempted murder

of Mr Murdoch's brother, William, 32, outside his former home at

Golfhill Road, Craigneuk, on May 3 last year.

The jury heard how a car drove slowly past Mr William Murdoch's home

and shots were fired into it, narrowly missing two children and a family

friend.

Mr Alan Murdoch claimed the shot which injured him and killed Mr Bryce

also came from a slow moving car. Police ballistic experts said the same

gun had been used in both incidents.

The judge, Lord Dawson, also heard allegations that the Murdoch family

had terrorised local people. Each of three brothers, Alan, William, and

John, 35, had been shot.