'Your actions showed utter indifference to everybody in that house'

Trial judge Lady Drummond said the shooting was a “brutal attack planned in advance”.

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She spoke of reading emotional impact statements penned by grieving relatives of the victim that “describe in detail their utter heartbreak at their loss”.

Lady Drummond added that the father had “no possible route” to escape or defend himself when confronted by the gunmen.

She continued: “This was a brutal attack planned in advance.

“Your actions showed utter indifference to everybody in that house.

“Use of firearms to commit murder must be deterred and penalties enforced must be appropriate to achieve that.”

Benson was jailed for a minimum of 20 years, while serial thug Russell was locked up for at least 24. McCusker was given 23 years, with Balloch, Hendry and Munro each receiving sentences of 21 years in prison.