Deaths shock local towns

Published 28 Oct 2009 17:12 0 Comments

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TRIBUTES have been paid to the guardsman allegedly murdered in front of his mum's home in Lochwinnoch.

Paul McGee, 28, was returning from a night out when it's alleged his taxi driver got into an argument with another driver.

Ian Wallace, 28, of Ryfield Avenue, Johnnstone, appeared in court this week charged with Paul's murder.

It is alleged he repeatedly stabbed Paul during an incident in McConnell Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

It is claimed that while acting with another, he repeatedly punched and stabbed him on the body with a knife or similar instrument, allegedly murdering the soldier.

Wallace is also alleged to have assaulted taxi driver, John Banach, by punching him on the face and repeatedly attempting to punch him.

He made no plea or declaration during his brief appearance, and was remanded in custody by Sheriff James Spy who continued the case for further examination.

Another man has been arrested in relation to the murder.

Leading the tributes was Paul's commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, Lieutant Colonel Lincoln Jopp.

He said: "Paul was as brave as they come.

"The whole of the Scots Guards family has been shocked by the tragic death of one of its heroes, Guardsman Paul McGee.

"At the time of his death, Guardsman Paul McGee was doing vital work recruiting for the Scots Guards in Glasgow.

"He was showing that he had a real talent for the job and was an inspirational example to potential recruits of what a career in the Regiment could offer.

"The men of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards and the wider Regimental family join me in sending our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to Paul's mother Anne, his sister Kelly, and his family and friends in Lochwinnoch.

"We honour our fallen."

Paul was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery medal after putting himself in extreme danger trying to save the life of fellow Scots Guardsman Stephen Ferguson, from Motherwell, when his Warrior vehicle slid into a canal in Iraq in December 2007.

Sadly, Stephen died later in hospital.

Stephen's father, Peter, has been left devastated at Paul's murder.

He told the Gazette: "Paul was a gentleman; you got him the same way every time, laughing and joking.

"He came to visit me when he was home.

"It's a tragedy that such a young life has been taken away by some idiot carrying a knife. The Ferguson family loved Paul like a son."

Councillor for Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, David Arthur, said: "It's a tragedy for the family and the community.

"It's a small village - close knit community - the whole community is devastated."

One shocked villager said: "Paul was quite quiet, kept himself to himself.

"I'm absolutely devastated, can't get over it."

As the Gazette went to press a second man, also aged 28, was due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court in connection with the alleged incident.

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