Former doctor who built up terrifying arsenal of guns and drew up ‘kill list’ jailed for 12 years 

Martin Watt (pictured) kept a list of names and addresses as well as an arsenal of weapons 

A 62-year-old former doctor who built up a stock pile of guns and wrote an ‘assassination list’ has been jailed for 12 years.

Martin Watt kept three sub-machine guns, two pistols and 1,500 live cartridges at a property in Cumbernauld last year with intent to endanger life after losing his job at North Lanarkshire’s Monklands Hospital following disciplinary hearings.

His marriage broke down around the same he lost his job in 2012 and he penned a list of names and addresses involved in the disciplinary process.

The former hospital consultant – who carried out shooting practice – was sentenced at Glasgow’s High Court, where Judge Lady Stacey referred to Watt’s collection of names as his ‘assassination list’.

Watt claimed his firing practice was just a way to make himself feel better but the judge said the jury rejected that when finding him guilty last month.

Sub-machine guns, pistols and live ammunition were found at the property where Watt built up his arsenal

Sub-machine guns, pistols and live ammunition were found at the property where Watt built up his arsenal

The 62-year-old kept three sub-machine guns, two pistols and 1,500 live cartridges but said his shooting practice was only cathartic

The 62-year-old kept three sub-machine guns, two pistols and 1,500 live cartridges but said his shooting practice was only cathartic

Two pistols were recovered from the property after Watt built up an arsenal and claimed to shoot guns to make himself feel better 

Two pistols were recovered from the property after Watt built up an arsenal and claimed to shoot guns to make himself feel better 

Watt (pictured) was dismissed from his job at around the same time his marriage broke down

Watt (pictured) was dismissed from his job at around the same time his marriage broke down

Defence QC John Scott urged the judge to take Watt’s age and near 30 year public service with the NHS into account.

The lawyer said he could not minimise the seriousness of the charges but that ‘Dr Watt is an unusual person to find himself in the dock at the High Court’.

Lady Stacey said: ‘I entirely accept you have served the community in the past. 

‘These are lethal weapons. Not only did you have the guns, you had live ammunition. The weapons were all in working order because you reactivated them.

‘You had them with intent to endanger life and any court must take a very serious view of this. You represent a danger to members of the public.

‘You had researched routes to some addresses, you told the jury you practised shooting to make yourself a better marksman.

‘The jury did not accept your assertion you intended to do no harm and that you wrote things out and did research on the internet as a way to make yourself feel better. 

‘It is sad to see a man who has held the positions you have in this situation.

‘Nothing has been said that explains why you acquired a stock of weapons and ammunition.

Watt has been jailed for 12 years after compiling a 'kill list' following the breakdown of his marriage and his sacking 

Watt has been jailed for 12 years after compiling a ‘kill list’ following the breakdown of his marriage and his sacking 

Watt kept the weapons in this property after his marriage broke down and he was sacked from the hospital 

Watt kept the weapons in this property after his marriage broke down and he was sacked from the hospital 

‘You are a well-educated and intelligent man and must appreciate the law in this country around firearms is strict. These are lethal weapons.

‘The jury found you had them with intent to endanger life. I take the view you represent a danger to members of the public.’

The former doctor was sacked following disciplinary proceedings and noted the names and addresses of those involved 

The former doctor was sacked following disciplinary proceedings and noted the names and addresses of those involved 

Watt was dismissed from this hospital in North Lanarkshire following disciplinary proceedings

Watt was dismissed from this hospital in North Lanarkshire following disciplinary proceedings

He kept an arsenal of weapons and what the judge described as an 'assassination list' of names and addresses 

He kept an arsenal of weapons and what the judge described as an ‘assassination list’ of names and addresses 

Watt was given an extended sentence with 12 years in prison and a further three years of supervision.

A Serious Crime Prevention Order was also granted restricting his internet use, travel and NHS visits for five years after his release from custody.

As well as being jailed for 12 years, Watt was given another three years of supervision and his internet use will be severely restricted 

As well as being jailed for 12 years, Watt was given another three years of supervision and his internet use will be severely restricted 

Watt claimed that his shooting practice was simply to make him feel better after the arsenal was uncovered 

Watt claimed that his shooting practice was simply to make him feel better after the arsenal was uncovered 

Earlier in the trial, court hear how Watt’s list involved people he claimed had bullied, harassed and dismissed him.

His QC John Scott asked: ‘What were your feelings towards these people?’

The former consultant said: ‘Monumental disappointment. I felt so cheated. They were trying to make it look like things I was not…being incompetent, racial abuse was also one. They were not allowing me to clear my name.’

 

 

 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk