A former solicitor has been convicted after a failed online plot to murder a procurator fiscal.

Martin Ready, 41, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Between May 2021 and September 2022, Ready used the dark web to try to arrange the murder of his target, 37-year-old Darren Harty, paying for the crime with cryptocurrency.

He is scheduled to be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Detective Sergeant Karen Murray of Coatbridge CID stated: “Ready believed that by using cryptocurrency and the dark web, his crimes would go undetected, but that was not the case.

“Our specialist cybercrime officers were able to track the flow of funds and trace the crimes back to Ready, demonstrating Police Scotland’s capability and dedication to uncovering online criminal activity.

“Tackling all forms of serious and organised crime is a priority for us, and we remain committed to safeguarding our communities by targeting those involved in such activities, utilizing every tool and specialised resource available to us.”