
Orkney killer Michael Ross' mum breaks down after quizzing him on horrific murder
The Orkney Assassin examines the shocking case of Michael Ross
The mother of Michael Ross, the man incarcerated for the 1994 slaying of a Bangladeshi waiter in Orkney, crumbled into tears during a recent documentary about the crime, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
The poignant scenes in The Orkney Assassin show Moira Ross breaking down as she recalls asking her then-teenage son if he was behind the murder.
Speaking to the documentary team, she said: "I remember him coming home with the detective. He was just his normal self.
"All he wanted to do was come down and have a biscuit and something to eat because he'd been starving when he was being questioned at the police station. So he was hungry."
Moira carried on: "Then he went up to his room and sat there and I did go up and ask him, I said, 'Did you shoot that man?' And he said , 'No.'"
"And I just can't get over the look on his face when I asked him that."
Deeply moved, Moira shed tears as her spouse, ex-police officer Eddy Ross, sat nex to her with a tearful demeanour.
Ross was merely 15 when Shamsuddin Mahmood, aged 26, was fatally shot by someone masked in Mumtaz Restaurant in Kirkwall amidst diners, which included children.
Mahmood's previously worked on the island the year before, and his untimely demise stirred considerable trepidation in the Bangladeshi community concerning small-town relocations for fear of similar tragedies.
Following police detention and questioning, the youngster was subsequently let go.
The case baffled the authorities for years, with former soldier Ross eventually being convicted of the murder and given a 25-year sentence in 2008.
In a dramatic turn of events, ex-Army sniper Ross tried to escape the courtroom after the guilty verdict was announced, nearly succeeding before he was caught.
Police later discovered a stash of weapons in a car park nearby, in a vehicle rented by Ross.
The Orkney Assassin, which launches on Prime Video today (June 8), provides new insights into the shocking 31 year old cold-blooded murder.
From Ross' parents, who firmly maintain his innocence, to eyewitnesses, journalists, police detectives, and legal representatives involved in the case at the time, The Orkney Assassin examines all aspects of the case.
The Orkney Assassin questions whether Mahmood's tragic death was a racist attack or even a professional hit as the evidence is reevaluated.
Despite his conviction, Ross has always insisted he is innocent, with the campaign group J4MR - Justice 4 Michael Ross attempting to overturn the verdict and claiming it's a massive miscarriage of justice.
Ross is currently serving his sentence at HMP Shotts in Lanarkshire and has made three attempts to escape from prison since his incarceration began.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Belfast Telegraph
20 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Former senator who fled US after ‘sex scandal' cleared of speeding in Co Down
An ex-US senator who fled to Australia after becoming embroiled in a crack-smoking sex scandal with a prostitute has been acquitted of speeding in Co Down.


Edinburgh Live
an hour ago
- Edinburgh Live
Cold-blooded Orkney murder continues to 'split' community 30 years on reveals journalist
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info One of Scotland's most notorious murder cases is once again under scrutiny, thanks to a new documentary from Prime Video. The Orkney Assassin delves into the chilling 1994 murder of Shamsuddin Mahmood, a waiter at the Indian restaurant Mumtaz in Kirkwall. Mahmood, a 26 year old Bangladeshi national, was brutally shot by a masked man in front of diners, including families with children. At the time of his death, Mahmood, who had previously worked on the island, was planning to return to Bangladesh and marry his girlfriend. Following the murder, the gunman disappeared into the night, leaving a shockwave that continues to ripple through the island community, reports the Scottish Daily Express. (Image: PRIME VIDEO) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Prime Video free trial Get Prime Video free for 30 days TV lovers can get 30 days' free access to tantalising TV like The Boys, Reacher and Clarkson's Farm by signing up to Amazon Prime. Just remember to cancel at the end and you won't be charged. £0 Amazon Get Prime Video here Michael Ross, who was just 15 at the time of the murder, was questioned by police but subsequently released. After a lengthy 14-year investigation, former Black Watch soldier Ross was finally convicted of the murder in 2008. In a dramatic turn of events, Ross attempted to flee the court after the guilty verdict was announced, nearly making it out the door before he was apprehended. (Image: POLICE SCOTLAND) A stash of weapons and camping equipment was later discovered in a vehicle hired by Ross in a nearby supermarket car park. He claimed this was part of his plan to escape and live off the grid rather than face imprisonment. Ross is currently serving a 25-year sentence at HMP Shotts in Lanarkshire, one of Scotland's highest security prisons. He has made three escape attempts, which he claims were efforts to bring his case back into the public eye. Despite his conviction, Ross has always maintained his innocence. His family, including father and former policeman Eddy Ross, mother Moira and other members of the Orkney community are campaigning for his release as part of the J4MR - Justice 4 Michael Ross group. Reach Screen Time spoke exclusively to both local newspaper reporter Ethan Flett and prosecutor Brian McConnachie KC, who shed further light on the case which continues to stir strong feelings amongst the Orkney Island community. (Image: PRIME VIDEO) Flett, who continues to report on the case as new developments emerge, said: "I think there's quite a split in the community between those that think Ross is guilty and those that think he's innocent." Reflecting on why doubt remains about Ross' guilt despite the conviction, Flett said: "There are a lot of inconsistencies and unanswered questions surrounding the case and the investigations that preceded the trial, dubious witnesses whose evidence seems to be rather important in the case, changing positions. Things like that got my interest in that." The reporter for Orkney's oldest newspaper The Orcadian went on to say how despite the "thorough police work" in the unprecedented case "certain things were missed that look quite important" as well as the handling of the case. (Image: PRIME VIDEO) Prosecutor McConnachie shared Flett's concerns about the divisions within the local community, stating: "I suspect it still does affect people." Although not an Orkney resident himself, McConnachie acknowledged the case's lasting impact: "I think there's always going to be two sides." He noted that the island's small size meant the case would inevitably affect the community atmosphere, with neighbours likely holding differing opinions on Ross's guilt or innocence - a situation complicated by his family still living there. McConnachie described the Orkney murder as a "challenging" case and his most high-profile one, citing the incredible number of times he had been asked about it compared to other cases. Regarding the sustained interest, he attributed it to the ongoing developments, including Ross's repeated escape attempts, the most recent being in 2018. (Image: PRIME VIDEO) Addressing the lingering doubts about Ross's guilt, McConnachie stated: "I certainly haven't seen anything since the trial back in 2008 that suggests to me that the jury got it wrong." He later added: "If you are trying to look for things that point towards guilt, then you might look at the circumstances of the last day of the trial, and the motor vehicle that he had and the things he had in them when he tried to escape from the court - never mind trying to escape from the prison. That there's something unnerving about what was contained within the car." Speaking on the efforts to free Ross, he remarked: "I think if you are a family member and somebody is convicted and they tell you there are innocent, then the likelihood is that you are going to take their position on it and perhaps try and assist them as best you can in overcoming what they see as being a miscarriage of justice." The documentary The Orkney Assassin is now available for viewers, offering an in-depth look into the murder case from different perspectives. The Orkney Assassin is streaming on Prime Video from June 8


The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
St Mirren land dispute judgment a 'crucial precedent' for free speech
The claim for damages surrounded comments made by Mr Wardrop around the legality of an application for public funds for a regeneration project including a well-being centre on what appeared to be club land. Lord Clark dismissed Mr Gillespie and Mr MacMillan's claim for damages, which might have amounted to £80,000 because he believed that Mr Wardrop's comments made surrounding the legality of the application in were in the public interest and were honestly held based on the evidence he had at the time - both defences under the Scottish law around defamation damages. Campbell Deane, head of BKF and Co who represented Mr Wardrop, said: "This case sets a crucial precedent in the application of Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021, particularly the public interest defence. READ MORE by Martin Williams "The ruling underscores the legal protection available to individuals who responsibly raise issues of public concern – even if they are ultimately mistaken in their claims. It affirms that Scottish defamation law now balances reputation rights with the importance of free expression in democratic discourse." Alan Wardrop (left) and St Mirren directors and Kibble execs Jim Gillespie and Mark MacMillan (Image: Damian Shields) Mr Deane represented former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale in a successful defamation case battle in 2020, an appeal case of Wings over Scotland blogger Stuart Campbell, who claimed Ms Dugdale defamed him in a newspaper column three years ago. Mr Campbell lost the defamation case and demand for £25,000 in reputational damages at Edinburgh Sheriff Court when it was decided that while Ms Dugdale was incorrect to imply Mr Campbell was homophobic, she was protected under the principle of fair comment. Mr Deane in the Wardrop case said it was a defence to a defamatory statement if it relates to publication of a "matter of public interest and the defender reasonably believed that publishing it was in the public interest". He said: "This defence is designed to protect freedom of expression on issues that affect the public, so long as the individual making the statements acts responsibly, seeks to verify the facts, and is not motivated by malice. This ruling makes clear that raising concerns about governance, charity involvement, or the use of public funds can fall within the scope of public interest. "This ruling confirms that the defender does not need to be correct in the allegations. Rather, the defender must show that their belief in the truth and public value of the statements was formed through reasonable effort. "As the first judicial interpretation of this new defence in Scotland, the decision is likely to have a significant impact on how future public interest defences are framed." Stuart Munro of Livingstone Brown, solicitor for Mr Gillespie and Mr MacMillan, said: 'My clients required to bring this action after Mr Wardrop wrongly accused them of having a 'secret plan' to build on land owned by St Mirren FC and of lying about it. 'They are extremely pleased the judge, having heard detailed evidence from numerous witnesses, made it clear in his written judgment that there was no such secret plan, thus setting the record straight. 'Furthermore, the judgement underlines that Mr Wardrop's very public allegations were, as my clients have consistently stated, both untrue and defamatory. "The judge also agreed that Mr Wardrop's untrue and defamatory statements caused serious harm to their reputations. 'Notwithstanding the finding that Mr Wardrop was entitled to publish, the judge made it very clear that, the true facts having now been established, any future repetition of his claims would have serious consequences.' Alan Wardrop (Image: .) But Mr Wardrop said: "As a lifelong St Mirren supporter this entirely unfounded and misconceived court action has unquestionably proved difficult. To be banned from attending home football matches and have my motivations put under the spotlight, when all I was doing was trying to shine a light on a significant issue concerning St Mirren has been taxing. "Prior to applying to join the SMISA board, I had conducted detailed investigations as to the whereabouts of the land forming part of Kibble's applications for a well-being centre. I had done this, having been met with a wall of silence from the Kibble directors of St Mirren Football Club, Jim Gillespie and Mark McMillan to my repeated requests for information." He said he had maintained throughout the process that what he said in relation to the land dispute was "honest opinion" and what he brought into the public forum was "in the public interest". "I am delighted, but not in any way surprised, that the court has accepted that it was in the public interest to publish what I did. The law promotes free speech, and based on all my thorough and detailed enquiries, what I wrote was clearly a statement on a matter of public interest and I believed in the public interest to publish," he said.