The family of a teenager murdered by a banned driver high on drugs and booze said they will never recover as the “evil monster” was jailed for life today.
Dean Wright deliberately mowed down innocent Liam Hendry, 18, as he watched a brawl between two gangs unfold close to Glasgow’s Celtic Park in 2019.
The 32-year-old was sentenced to at least 22 years behind bars today after a judge told him he used his van as a weapon in the “murderous attack”, which saw him attempt to kill four others who rushed to his victim’s aid.
And Liam’s heartbroken family issued an emotional statement following the verdict, saying: “We as a family will never ever recover from this perverted and evil act that was inflicted on our beautiful and loving son.
“The subhumans involved in the cold blooded and senseless snatching of our Liam’s future showed him no mercy nor left him any hope of surviving the attack. We will never know why.”
The High Court in Glasgow heard Wright drove at excessive speed while disqualified from driving and high on cocaine and alcohol when he swerved onto the pavement and hit Liam on September 29, 2019, causing him to smash onto the windscreen and suffer horrific head injuries.
A jury found Wright guilty of murder last month.
Celtic fan Liam, from Barrowfield, had been standing watching as two rival groups from the area clash at around 6am that morning.
Friends and other residents rushed to the dying teenager’s aid before Wright did a u-turn and drove at four people who were trying to help Liam.
He was also convicted of attempting to murder them.
Lord Arthurson praised the quiet dignity of Liam’s family yesterday and told Wright: “You have visited on Mr Hendry’s family a life sentence of grief.
“You used your van as a weapon. This was a murderous attack on your victim who was unknown to you.”
An emotional statement was read outside court yesterday on behalf of Liam’s relatives and friends, saying the killer had shown no remorse.
It said: “There is no sentence long enough for what that evil monster did.
“We witnessed ourselves in court there wasn’t an ounce of remorse. In fact he looked to us as if he was getting a kick out of what he did as the CCTV was being replayed of Liam’s last moments.
“Liam Hendry has been lost in this trial. Where’s the justice in that? No mention of his kind and loving nature, the time he gave for other people or the help he would willingly give, nor his unconditional love for his parents, brothers, family and Celtic Football Club.
“As his family we are determined that we will not let this trial define Liam’s short life.
“The huge hole that’s been left in our lives and hearts can never be filled. However we will make sure that Liam will be remembered for the kind, fun loving boy he was.
“He will truly be missed by so many.”
Liam was at the home of his friend Daniel Ewing in Barrowfield on the night of his murder.
Daniel, 19, previously told the court he went outside with friends to see two gangs chasing each other - but Liam initially stayed indoors.
As Daniel went to return home, he spotted Liam across the street and saw the impact of the crash.
He said: “The van swerved right to where Liam was. I shouted, but, unfortunately, it was too late.
“It hit Liam and sent him up into the air. I was then with Liam the full time.
“I had him in my lap and there was a woman trying to give him CPR.
“I was begging that he was not dead, but I just knew.”
Jurors were shown CCTV footage of the incident including the desperate attempts to save the teenager in the street.
The court heard Wright has previous convictions for offensive weapons, road traffic matters and dishonesty.
Defence QC Tony Graham said: “Mr Wright asks me to apologise in the expectation it will offer little comfort to Mr Hendry’s family and friends.”
Celtic fans paid tribute to Liam by clapping for the entire 18th minute during an Europa League match against Cluj at Parkhead days after the murder.
David Green, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, said: “The sentence imposed upon Dean Wright today is reflective of the brutal and sustained nature of his crime.
“Liam Hendry’s family have suffered a devastating loss, and our thoughts are with them as they attempt to come to terms with what has happened.”
