Gunman who shot Edinburgh gangster Marc Webley dead outside pub on Hogmanay pleads guilty

Grant Hunter was due to stand trial accused of the 38-year-old’s murder and the attempted murder of a 39-year-old man at Edinburgh High Court.

But today, 34-year-old Hunter pleaded guilty to firing the fatal shot outside the Anchor Inn pub in Granton minutes before the bells.

Two other people, Emma McVie and Gary Robertson, both also pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the incident.

Robertson, 22, admitted supplying cash in the build-up to the murder, as well as helping to dispose of a firearm afterwards, while McVie, 27, admitted attempting to destroy evidence.

Marc Webley was killed on Hogmanay 2023. | Collect

Emergency services were called to the Granton pub at around 11.50pm on December 31, 2023, following reports of a firearm having been discharged.

Webley and the 39-year-old man were taken to hospital, but Webley died a short time later.

In the days leading up to his death, the 38-year-old had goaded gangland rivals on social media.

Grant Hunter [pictured] has plead guilty to murdering Marc Webley and the attempted murder of a second man, aged 39, at the High Court in Edinburgh today. Emma McVie (right) was also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. | Police Scotland/Canva

In 2006, Webley was jailed for 11 years for attempted murder after being the gunman in a gangland-style attack. He was cleared of two attempted murders at the High Court in Edinburgh in October 2022.

Detective Superintendent Graham Grant, senior investigating officer, said: "The violence involved in this case, which resulted in the death of a young man, is absolutely senseless.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Marc Webley today following these convictions. Although this was a targeted attack, there was absolutely no regard for the safety of the local community by discharging a firearm outside a busy pub on New Year's Eve.

38-year-old Marc Webley was shot outside an Edinburgh pub on Hogmanay 2023.

"One man lost his life and another was seriously injured but this incident could also have left other people seriously injured – or worse – and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated. Violence and the carrying of firearms is completely unacceptable.

"I believe these convictions sends a message to those involved in serious criminality that we remain determined to bring you to justice. This was a complex investigation involving a range of specialist officers working closely with our partners.

"I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation."

Hunter, McVie, and Robertson are all due to be sentenced at a later date