Story perspectives

Two Men Charged With Murder After Billy Watson Shooting

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 10:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Police charged two men with murder after Billy Watson was shot dead in Armadale.
Corrie McQueen, 29, and Martin Patterson, 44, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on September 21.
Josh McBride, 20, was charged with murder and attempting to defeat justice at Livingston Court on September 23.
Frank McCarthy, 57, of Bathgate, appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court on September 18 on same charges.
Post-mortem confirmed Watson suffered fatal firearm injuries.

History

Historical Context

The 1996 Dunblane massacre, in which Thomas Hamilton killed 16 children and a teacher, shocked Scotland and spurred nationwide gun-control reforms. The UK Parliament enacted the 1997 Firearms (Amendment) Act, banning handguns and mandating stricter licensing, while the Scottish Government funded school security upgrades. Murder prosecutions of Billy Watson’s killers—Corrie McQueen, Martin Patterson, Josh McBride, and Frank McCarthy—in Armadale, Edinburgh Sheriff Court, and Livingston Court mirror the persistent threat of illegal firearms. The Dunblane legacy therefore fuels renewed calls for tighter licensing oversight and community vigilance to avert further Scottish homicides.

1 of 2

Story summary

Police charged two men with murder after Billy Watson was shot dead in Armadale.
Corrie McQueen, 29, and Martin Patterson, 44, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on September 21.
Josh McBride, 20, was charged with murder and attempting to defeat justice at Livingston Court on September 23.
Frank McCarthy, 57, of Bathgate, appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court on September 18 on same charges.
Post-mortem confirmed Watson suffered fatal firearm injuries.

1 / 2