Man 'murdered in targetted attack' after being hit by car and then stabbed

27 November 2023 , 22:15

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Michael Beaton pictured (Image: Scotland Police)

A murder inquiry has been launched after a man was knocked down by a vehicle and then stabbed in what police are treating as a targeted attack.

Michael Beaton, 35, was found with serious injuries in Drumfrochar Road in Greenock at around 7.20pm on Sunday after he was struck by a light-coloured vehicle and then attacked with a knife. He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow but died a few hours later.

Mr Beaton is said to have lived in an area of the town referred to as Bow Road, or Bow, around a mile from Drumfrochar Road, where he was found fatally injured. Detective Chief Inspector Lynsey Watters, from the major investigations team (west), said: "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the incident, however we do not believe that this was a random attack.

"This was an extremely violent attack which has shocked the local community and caused disruption to their daily routines whilst we carry out our forensic inquiries. I'd like to assure the people living in the area that we are doing everything we can to trace the person or persons responsible for this shocking incident and that there will be an increased police presence in the area.

"Anyone who witnessed the attack, saw any suspicious individuals or vehicles in or around the area, or has any other information that could assist our investigation is asked to contact police immediately."

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People in the area have been asked to check dashcam and doorbell camera footage from around the time of the incident. Any information can be submitted online at Public Portal or via phone on 101, quoting incident number 2790 of November 26 2023, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.

One eyewitness told the Daily Record they saw paramedics fighting to save Beaton's life after an ambulance arrived at the scene. They said: "I look right onto it and could see the whole thing from my window. It was dark at the time but I could see that he had tan coloured boots on. They worked on him for a bit and then propped him up. They then bundled him into the ambulance and whisked him off.

"It's easily the most amount of police I've ever seen for the one incident. There were officers and cars everywhere. I could see nine of the wee yellow markers they put out for forensics. When they were working on the guy and taking him away you could see he was in a really bad way. Whatever has happened to him has left him at death's door in the street."

Tim Hanlon