E-fits issued over shooting abduction of Barnsley man found in East Kilbride Published duration 16 December 2015

image copyright Police Scotland

Police investigating the abduction and attempted murder of a man who was found with gunshot wounds have issued e-fit images of three men they want to trace.

The 45-year-old victim was found on a grass verge near the junction of Stewartfield Way and Stewartfield Crescent in East Kilbride, on 13 March.

He was treated for gunshot wounds to his legs and released from hospital.

The man had previously been assaulted and abducted by several men 250 miles away at his home in Dodworth, Barnsley.

Det Ch Insp Gary Boyd, who is leading the inquiry, said: "This shooting was a shocking incident, which occurred in broad daylight, yards from a busy town, homes and a supermarket.

"This man was systematically assaulted, threatened and was in fear for his life. He has been left with life-changing injuries and may be unable to walk unaided again."

image caption Forensic officers inspected the grass verge in East Kilbride where the victim was found

Det Ch Insp Boyd said his inquiry team was working with West Yorkshire Police and other forces England in a bid to catch the men responsible.

He said: "The people who carried out this abduction and shooting are merciless, and have absolutely no regard for public safety.

"They have access to firearms as evidenced by this incident and have no hesitation in carrying out extreme violence. They are dangerous individuals and must be caught."

Det Ch Insp Boyd said his officers were "still piecing together the timeline, mapping out the full journey which the attackers and the victim took" and had spoken to local people and checked CCTV images in Barnsley and East Kilbride.

He said he wanted to speak to anyone who may have seen the man being shot and left injured in East Kilbride or anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area on 13 March.

"We have already received considerable support and information from the public and I am very grateful for that but our inquiries would suggest that this area of East Kilbride was very busy with passing pedestrian and vehicle traffic," he said.

"It may be possible that because of the extensive response by emergency services some individuals may have thought that what they have seen was unimportant or would have been known to the police.

"I would encourage anyone who was in the area at that time to come forward and speak to us."

Det Ch Insp Boyd said the three men whose e-fits were being issued may have "critical information" for the inquiry and asked anyone who recognised them to get in touch.

He added: "To make it clear, we do believe that this attack was targeted and was not a random assault.

"I'd like to again reassure the local community of East Kilbride that immediately following this incident increased patrols were in the area to provide additional public safety, reassurance and a visible demonstration of how seriously Police Scotland view such attacks."