Hitman 'got cold feet' after agreeing to kill Glasgow drug dealer

A hitman who agreed to murder a gangster has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years after he pulled out of the planned shooting and returned to England.

James Richards, 36, checked out the scene for the proposed hit on Ryan Carvill but got "cold feet" and raised concerns about a getaway vehicle.

The Liverpudlian had travelled to Lenzie, in East Dunbartonshire, and collected a phone and gun before backing out.

Lord Young told Richards at Edinburgh High Court that in fixing his sentence for the offence he took into account his lack of previous violent offending and that Richards had eventually distanced himself from the scheme.

Richards had previously admitted to being involved in serious organised crime, and that he had agreed to shoot Carvill for payment.

Carvill had become a target for criminal David Nisbet, 35, and his associate Declan McCuish, 35.

Nisbet spoke to three potential hitmen before discussions with Richards reached an advanced stage.

As part of the conspiracy Richards travelled from Liverpool to Lenzie, took possession of an encrypted phone and handgun and visited locations for the proposed shooting.

He also discussed the specification of getaway vehicles and looked at where to dump and burn cars.

Advocate depute Lindsay Dalziel said: "Declan McCuish was told to make sure a flat was available in the full knowledge that it was being occupied by a hitman.

Nisbet was said to have called Carvill a rat that "has to get got" when discussing the possible killing.

However, after Richards travelled arrived in Scotland he pulled out of the plan.

He had asked Nisbet if he could get him a fast car or a motorbike, but did not like the getaway vehicles on offer.

He was driven south but was stopped by armed response police.

Richards was arrested in connection in June 2021, released and then subsequently arrested on warrant after being extradited from Spain in January 2026.

Lord Young said a background report on Richards said that most of his adult life has been blighted by his drug addiction.

Nisbet was subsequently jailed for 13 years and McCuish for 11 years after they were convicted of conspiring to kill Carvill following a trial.

Carvill, 32, who moved between Glasgow and Dubai, was jailed for eight years and three months earlier this year for his role in a lucrative narcotics supply operation.

Defence counsel John Scullion KC said Richards became involved in the plot because he has a lengthy history of drug misuse and was trying to settle his debts.

He said Richards quickly realised he could not go through with the shooting plan and regretted becoming involved in it.

Det Supt Steven Elliott said: "Richards came to Scotland with the sole purpose of taking another life.

"Thankfully, he was not successful in his intentions and he will now face the consequences of his actions."