A man convicted of gunning down a gangster hopes to be free in time to see his dying dad. Career criminal William Gage was jailed for 20 years in 2002 for killing drug baron Justin McAlroy, son of Labour party donor and businessman Tommy McAlroy
A man convicted of gunning down a gangster hopes to be free in time to see his dying dad.
Career criminal William Gage was jailed for 20 years in 2002 for killing drug baron Justin McAlroy, son of Labour party donor and businessman Tommy McAlroy.
Yesterday, the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission announced the case would be referred to the Court of Appeal.
Gage, who has always protested his innocence, is desperate to spend time with his 74-year-old dad William snr who has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Yesterday, Gage's girlfriend, who did not want to be named, said: "William is definitely a victim of a miscarriage of justice. It is absolutely heartbreaking that he has missed seven years of his dad's life for absolutely nothing.
"His dad was diagnosed a couple of weeks ago with a tumour on his lung and small tumours on his chest.
"We've been told it's terminal but he couldn't cope with surgery or chemotherapy. They are starring radiotherapy next week to try and buy him some time.
"William is devastated. We need him out so he can be with his dad."
His lawyer Aamer Anwar said they would lodge the grounds of an appeal within the next eight weeks.
He said: "We have been working two and a half years on the case to get to this important victory.
"The commission has finally accepted that Mr Gage has a case.
"Mr Gage has protested his innocence from day one and this is an important step forward."
