Glasgow, Scotland – A Scottish man who used the pseudonym “evil Jesus” online attempted to facilitate a murder using the dark web, but his sentencing is now delayed due to uncertainty about the availability of a psychiatric hospital bed. Martin Ready, 42, sought to assassinate Darren Harty, 37, employing cryptocurrency to arrange the hit, only to fall victim to an internet scam.
The case, which unfolded between May 2021 and September 2022, saw Ready transfer over 5,000 pounds through Bitcoin to an entity he believed to be a contract killer on the so-called Online Killers Market. The plot was to have Harty, who was familiar to Ready through a pub owned by Harty’s family in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, shot dead.
During his trial at the High Court in Glasgow, it was revealed that Ready believed he was battling organized crime in their hometown through these actions. He professed during the proceedings to suffer from delusions, identifying as “evil Jesus,” an assertion he thought justified his deadly intent.
However, the jury was not persuaded by Ready’s claims of delusional compulsion. They rejected his special defense of lacking criminal responsibility, resulting in his conviction. He is currently held at HMP Barlinnie, awaiting further developments regarding his sentencing.
The sentencing was initially scheduled for the High Court in Edinburgh. Nevertheless, it faced postponement due to a lack of available beds at the Rowanbank Clinic, Glasgow, where Ready was to potentially receive psychiatric care. This was confirmed at a subsequent hearing where Brian McConnachie KC, Ready’s defense attorney, expressed frustration over the uncertainties surrounding the provision of necessary medical facilities.
The court heard that although all prerequisites for admission to the psychiatric facility had been fulfilled, including the submission of two comprehensive medical reports, the finalization awaited the confirmation of a bed. This administrative hurdle led to a circular delay with no definitive end in sight, as the court and Ready’s legal team encountered difficulties in obtaining direct answers from medical administrators.
Lady Hood, the presiding judge, emphasized the urgency of resolving the bed availability issue but refrained from ordering further reports, indicating that the court was primarily concerned with the logistics of Ready’s admission to the psychiatric unit.
The unresolved status of Ready’s psychiatric evaluation and the challenges faced by the court in ensuring appropriate care underscore ongoing issues within the intersection of criminal justice and mental health provisions. The case not only brings to light the susceptibility of individuals to dark web scams but also the complexities encountered in providing adequate mental health support for those involved in the criminal system.
Sentencing has been deferred to January 28, pending a clear directive from the psychiatric unit on the availability of a bed for Martin Ready. This case stands as a poignant reminder of the intricate layers of legal and medical challenges that can surface in cases involving mental health issues and alleged criminal activities.
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