Latest news with #TheOrkneyAssassin
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Inside one of Scotland's most controversial murder cases which split small community
As The Orkney Assassin airs on Amazon Prime, Reach Screen Time speaks to two people involved in the case One of Scotland's most notorious murder cases is once again under scrutiny, thanks to a new documentary from Prime Video, reports the Scottish Daily Express. 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 horrified diners, including families with children. Planning to return to Bangladesh and marry his girlfriend, Mahmood had previously worked on the island the year before his untimely death. After the shocking crime, the gunman disappeared into the night, leaving a lasting impact on the island that still resonates today. Michael Ross, who was just 15 at the time of the murder, was initially questioned by police but subsequently released. However, after a lengthy 14-year investigation, ex-Black Watch soldier Ross was finally convicted for the murder in 2008. In a dramatic turn of events, Ross attempted to flee the court following the guilty verdict, nearly making it out the door before being apprehended. A stash of weapons and camping equipment was later discovered in a vehicle hired by Ross in a nearby supermarket car park, which he claimed was part of his plan to escape and live off the land 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 exclusively interviewed both local newspaper reporter Ethan Flett and prosecutor Brian McConnachie KC, who provided further insights into the case that continues to divide the Orkney Island community. Flett, who keeps a close eye on the case as new information comes to light, commented: "I think there's quite a split in the community between those that think Ross is guilty and those that think he's innocent." Discussing why doubts persist about Ross' guilt despite the conviction, Flett observed: "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 journalist from Orkney's longest-running newspaper The Orcadian also noted that despite the "thorough police work" in the unprecedented case, "certain things were missed that look quite important", as well as issues with how the case was managed. Prosecutor McConnachie shared Flett's concerns about the divisions within the local community, stating: "I suspect it still does affect people." Although McConnachie is not an Orkney resident, he noted: "I think there's always going to be two sides." As the case took place in a relatively small community, McConnachie observed that it would inevitably impact the local atmosphere, with people holding differing views on Ross' innocence or guilt, particularly since his family still resides there. McConnachie described the Orkney murder as a "challenging" case and his most high-profile one, saying: "The number of times I have been asked about the case is incredible by comparison to any other case I've ever been involved in." Regarding the ongoing interest in the case, McConnachie attributed it to the fact that "I think because things keep happening" including Ross' multiple escape attempts, the most recent being in 2018. Addressing the lingering doubts about Ross' 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." McConnachie further noted: "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." Touching on the unwavering campaigns for Ross's freedom, 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." Audiences are now able to watch The Orkney Assassin, which offers a comprehensive examination into the harrowing murder case and considers both perspectives.
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
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.
Edinburgh Live
10 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Orkney murderer Michael Ross' mum breaks down in tears as she recalls asking him about killing
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 Moira Ross, the mother of Michael Ross who was convicted for the 1994 heinous murder of a Bangladeshi waiter in Orkney, couldn't hold back her tears during a revealing new documentary titled The Orkney Assassin. In the heartbreaking moments aired on The Orkney Assassin, a distraught Moira recounted the devastating time she queried her teenage son Michael about being the murderer, reports the Scottish Daily Express. She shared with the creators of the programme: "I remember him coming home with the detective. He was just his normal self." Telling more about that fateful day, she remembered: "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." Continuing her painful recollection, Moira said: "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.'" (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 Describing the haunting moment, she added, "And I just can't get over the look on his face when I asked him that." The emotional interview saw Moira breaking down into tears as Eddy Ross, her husband and ex-police officer, sat by her side, visibly upset himself. Ross was only 15 years old when waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood, 26, was fatally shot inside the Mumtaz Restaurant in Kirkwall; the gunman wore a mask and committed the crime in the presence of diners, including children. Mahmood had spent time working on the island the previous year; his death spread fear amongst the Bangladeshi community about relocating to smaller towns due to concerns of facing similar fates. (Image: PRIME VIDEO) Following the murder, the young Ross was detained for questioning before later being released. The case baffled authorities for years, with former soldier Ross eventually convicted of the murder and given a 25-year sentence in 2008. In an unexpected 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. Launching on Prime Video today (June 8), The Orkney Assassin provides new perspectives on the shocking 31 year old cold-blooded murder. (Image: PRIME VIDEO) From Ross' parents, who firmly maintain his innocence, to eye witnesses, 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 consistently claimed his innocence, with the campaign group J4MR - Justice 4 Michael Ross attempting to overturn the verdict and alleging 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 prison since his incarceration began. The Orkney Assassin airs on Prime Video on June 8
