Glasgow, August 30: A former lawyer who believed he was an "evil Jesus" vigilante has been convicted of plotting a gangland-style execution through the dark web. 41-year-old Martin Ready attempted to hire a hitman to kill prosecutor Darren Harty, using Bitcoin to pay for the assassination on a dark web site known as the "Online Killers Market." Ready, who claimed his actions were part of a delusional mission to expose organised crime in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, was found guilty of attempted conspiracy to murder.

Ready, who described himself as an evil Jesus vigilante, targeted Harty due to his connection to a pub that Ready suspected of money laundering for criminal gangs. As reported by The Mirror, Ready used the dark web to hire a hitman, paying over 5,000 pounds in Bitcoin and instructing that Harty be killed in a gangland-style execution. Ready's bizarre plan was motivated by his delusional belief that he was on a divine mission to unveil criminal activities. UK Shocker: Man Accused of Knocking Down Sister’s Boyfriend With His Car After Her Break-Up Avoids Jail, Ordered To Do 300 Hours of Community Service.

As reported by BBC, the scheme was uncovered when a journalist investigating the dark web alerted the authorities. Using the alias "Harry Brown", Ready accessed the dark web site Online Killers Market to carry out his plan between May 2021 and September 2022. The court found that Ready's claims of delusion and his defence of lacking criminal responsibility did not hold, leading to his conviction for attempted conspiracy to murder. UK Shocker: Cop Kicks, Stomps on Muslim Man’s Head at Manchester Airport; Removed From Duty After Disturbing Video Goes Viral.

As per the reports, Ready had previously spent time in a psychiatric ward, and his father described him as "paranoid," raising questions about his mental state during the plot. The court also heard that Ready's mental health reportedly improved after being remanded in custody following the exposure of his plan. Ready now awaits sentencing, with a psychiatric report ordered by Judge Lady Hood to assess his mental condition before the next hearing in October.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2024 10:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).