Plot to kill Glasgow gangster failed as hitman didn't like getaway car

James Richards, 36, was part of the plot to execute Ryan Carvil for apparently being "a grass".

Crime boss David Nisbet, 35, had wanted Carvil dead as his mob “sought to turn the streets of Glasgow into a warzone” in a bid to get their target.

Nisbet teamed up with trusted lieutenants Declan McCuish and Anthony Connell - both 35 - before Richards was brought up to Scotland from Liverpool.

But, they were all snared after incriminating messages on the encrypted EncroChat phone network linked them to the crime.

A price to recruit convicted criminal Richards was discussed.

Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel told the High Court in Glasgow: "Nisbet entered into discussions with no less than three potential hitmen, but it was an agreement with James Richards which reached an advanced stage.

"Declan McCuish was told to make sure a flat was available in the full knowledge that it was being occupied by the hitman."

Connell messaged at one stage that "Nizzy has a scouser wanting to blow him away".

Discussing kill plans, Nisbet stated: "Mate, I will get someone to f***ing put a tool to a head tonight...this rat has to get got. His luck is just too much now mate."

Connell further texted on EncroChat: "Jump out, nut him quickly, tie weights to his ankles and roll him in at canal. That's a missing person, not a murder."

There was an agreement that Richards would be collected from a Liverpool address.

But, after arriving north, it was clear he had "cold feet".

Richards said to Nisbet: "The only thing I am thinking about is the car. Can you get me a fast one?

"Just do not feel comfy driving that far with tool (gun) in that car.

"Them cars are fine to use, but I just would not feel right knowing if anything happens, I am f****d.

"At least if I had fast car or a motorbike I could get away."

Richards soon decided not to take part in the murder plot.

Miss Dalziel told the court: "The conspiracy faltered because Richards did not like the getaway cars or arrangements on offer.

"He headed home shortly after 3pm on the Easter Monday. He was driven south only to be stopped by the Armed Response Unit."

Richards can now be identified after he pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime between April 9 and 13, 2020.

A warrant had previously been issued for his arrest after he went AWOL. He was later traced in Spain before being hauled back to the UK.

Reporting restrictions had prevented him being named in earlier coverage of the case.

John Scullion KC, defending, told Richards' hearing: "In April 2020, he was in debt to those who supplied him with drugs.

"Having initially said he would do it (the shooting), he realised very quickly that it was something that he could not do.

"He began to raise issues with the plans made by others."

Lord Young deferred sentencing until next month in Edinburgh. Richards remains in custody.

The judge told him: "You have pled guilty to being involved in serious organised crime - a conspiracy to murder a rival gangland figure."

Nisbet and McCuish, 35, were meantime convicted of the kill plot against Carvil after a trial in February 2025.

Nisbet was later jailed for 13 years, McCuish 11 years.

Connell was separately locked up for six years and nine months in February 2026 after admitting to the same charge as Richards.

Carvil was jailed for more than eight years in the same month after police smashed a massive food-delivery style drugs operation he was central in.

The 32-year-old - who flitted between Scotland and his £34,000-a-year home in Dubai - teamed up with shisha bar owner Saad Qayyum, 36, to flood Glasgow with narcotics.

The illegal trade was so awash with dirty cash the pair were able to buy expensive supercars including a £314,000 McLaren 765T and £160,000 Audi R6.

Both pled guilty to an organised crime charge earlier this year.