LIFE FOR GANGLAND EXECUTION HENCHMEN
Pair sentenced over murder of gym owner Gary, 32, but cop hunt goes on for gunman
TWO killers involved in the gangland execution of a gym owner on his doorstep have been jailed for more than 21 years each.
Neil Anderson, 45, and Thomas Guthrie, 25, acted with others in the shooting of Gary More, 32, in Airdrie on September 6, 2018.
Anderson lured Gary from his home just before a gunman – who has never been identified – got out of a car driven by Guthrie and blasted him on the head and body.
Gary had been warned by police about a potential threat to his safety weeks before the killing.
Anderson was convicted last month at the High Court in Glasgow of Gary’s murder – five years after he walked free from the same dock when he was accused of being involved in a £7million cocaine empire.
Guthrie – paid six figures to take part in the shooting – pled guilty to murder before the trial. Both men received mandatory life sentences, with Anderson getting a minimum of 21 years and nine months, while Guthrie got 21 years and seven months.
Judge Lord Mulholland told them: “This was preplanned and you both had a part to play. Neil Anderson induced him to leave his house and present a clear aim of sight for the assassin.
“Thomas Guthrie drove the assassin to the place where he was shot, recced the place the night before and was paid money for it.
“Mr More was shot 11 times with three times to the head – there was no prospect of him surviving the brutal prolonged attack.”
The judge added that Gary’s family have been given a life sentence.
Anderson, of Bothwell, Lanarkshire, put his thumbs up and waved to the gallery as he was led from court.
The trial was shown CCTV of Anderson arriving at Gary’s house in a van shortly before the murder.
Anderson and Gary were seen chatting at the front of the home before a Skoda pulled up beside them.
The gunman left the car and fired at Gary as Anderson walked off screen. The shooter then ran back into the car with driver Guthrie racing off.
During the trial, Anderson denied pressuring Gary over “drug debts”. Anderson and his brother David, 37, were cleared of being involved in cocaine dealing after the claim was dropped.
Gary’s sister Lindsey Blaney, 36, told jurors she had “suspected” he was involved in illegal drugs.
She stated she was asked for £5000 a few months before his death but refused.
Police appealed for more witnesses to the murder, adding: “We believe at least one other person was involved in this incident.”