Two admit beating man to death in Inverness house attack

Two men have admitted restraining a father and beating him to death in Inverness.

Craig Hayden, 30, and Leon Headey, 23, killed Ross MacGillivray at a property in the city’s St Ninian Drive on 11 November 2023.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the 36-year-old was restrained, punched, kicked and stamped on during the assault.

Hayden and Headey had been due to stand trial but pleaded guilty on Wednesday.

Samantha Jane MacGillivray – who was said to have been the victim’s “estranged wife” – had also been accused of murder.

But her not guilty plea was accepted.

MacGillivray, 33, instead admitted to a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice in connection with events after the killing.

Two other men, who also appeared in the dock, were not facing the murder charge.

But Lee Fraser, 34, and Thomas Hooson, 29, admitted the aggravated assault of a man in Alness on 25 October 2023.

Headey also admitted to being involved in that attack.

The case was continued until a later date when prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC is expected to reveal further background and details of the crimes.

All five were remanded in custody.

Mr MacGillivray’s relatives released a statement following his death.

It read: “Ross was a loving husband, a doting father, loved by his family and friends and all who met him.

“He will be especially missed but definitely not forgotten. We love you to the Moon, the stars, Jupiter and Mars.”