Solved case · 2004
Also known as House of Blood murders · Crosshill flat murders
The short answer
Three men — David Gillespie, 42, Ian Mitchell, 67, and Anthony Coyle, 71 — were killed in a top-floor flat on Dixon Avenue, Crosshill, Glasgow, on 17 October 2004. Edith McAlinden, her son John McAlinden, and his friend Jamie Gray were convicted of the killings, which press dubbed the "House of Blood" murders due to the extent of bloodstaining found at the scene.
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Suggest coverage for this caseOn 16 October 2004, Edith McAlinden — described as a convicted thief, prostitute, and homeless drifter — was released from prison after serving a nine-month sentence for a serious assault. She went to a top-floor flat on Dixon Avenue in Crosshill, Glasgow, where her boyfriend David Gillespie, 42, lived alongside fellow tenant Anthony Coyle, 71, and landlord Ian Mitchell, 67, whom McAlinden referred to as "Pops."
During a drinking session, an argument broke out between McAlinden and Gillespie. McAlinden stabbed Gillespie repeatedly in the thighs, severing a femoral vein and causing him to bleed to death. She then telephoned her 17-year-old son, John McAlinden, for help. John arrived by taxi with his 16-year-old friend, Jamie Gray; McAlinden persuaded Mitchell to pay the taxi fare, with Mitchell believing the pair had come to help Gillespie.
When John McAlinden realised Mitchell had witnessed the killing, he fatally stabbed Mitchell and repeatedly kicked his head, causing heavy bleeding to the brain. Anthony Coyle attempted to escape by locking himself in his bedroom, but John and Jamie drilled out the door locks to force entry. Jamie Gray then chased Coyle and beat him to death with a golf club.
Around two hours later, at approximately 3:00, McAlinden went to a neighbour, James Sweeney, and asked him to check on the flat, claiming something had happened. Sweeney went to investigate and, upon seeing the blood-covered hallway, called emergency services. Local reporting on the extensive bloodstaining led to the nickname "The House of Blood."
Police and paramedics arriving at the scene found McAlinden alone with Gillespie's body. She was formally charged the next day, 18 October, at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Investigators initially speculated that more than one strong attacker had been involved, given the scale of blood found at the flat.
In May 2005, Edith McAlinden, John McAlinden, and Jamie Gray appeared at Glasgow High Court, initially denying the murders of Mitchell, Coyle, and Gillespie. The prosecution, led by Sean Murphy QC, described victims being beaten with knives, metal files, a belt, and pieces of wood, struck with a bottle, punched, stabbed, stamped on the head, and doused with boiling water. During the trial, all three defendants changed their pleas: John McAlinden admitted killing Mitchell, Jamie Gray admitted killing Coyle, and Edith McAlinden admitted killing Gillespie.
On 29 June 2005, Edith McAlinden was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 13 years. John McAlinden and Jamie Gray each received a minimum tariff of 12 years. John McAlinden was released in 2016 but was reimprisoned in 2018 for breaching his licence conditions.
Edith McAlinden released from prison after serving a nine-month sentence for a serious assault.
David Gillespie, Ian Mitchell, and Anthony Coyle killed at a flat on Dixon Avenue, Crosshill, Glasgow.
Edith McAlinden formally charged with the murders at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Edith McAlinden, John McAlinden, and Jamie Gray appear at Glasgow High Court, initially denying the murders.
Edith McAlinden sentenced to life imprisonment with a 13-year minimum tariff; John McAlinden and Jamie Gray each given a 12-year minimum tariff.
John McAlinden released from prison.
John McAlinden reimprisoned for breaching the conditions of his licence.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
71-year-old fellow tenant; killed by Jamie Gray with a golf club after being chased into his bedroom.[3]
42-year-old tenant of the Dixon Avenue flat; killed by Edith McAlinden during an argument.[3]
67-year-old landlord of the flat, referred to by McAlinden as "Pops"; killed by John McAlinden after being identified as a witness.[3]
Convicted of murdering David Gillespie; sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 13 years.[3]
Convicted of murdering Anthony Coyle; sentenced to a minimum tariff of 12 years.[3]
Convicted of murdering Ian Mitchell; sentenced to a minimum tariff of 12 years; released in 2016 and reimprisoned in 2018 for breaching licence conditions.[3]
From the record
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SOLVEDListenDixon Avenue, Crosshill, Glasgow, Scotland
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