Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
HUNT GOES ON FOR GUNMAN AFTER PAIR JAILED
Men get more than 20 years each for role in murder of gym boss
Police have vowed to continue the hunt for the unidentified gunman who brutally slayed Airdrie gym boss Gary More on his own doorstep after two men involved in the grisly death were jailed for a combined total of more than four decades.
And it is believed Neil Anderson, the thug who lured Mr More to his death, was a key figure in a crime clan allegedly run by two brothers wanted by police.
Anderson was closely linked to Gillespie brothers James and Barry, who detectives believe head a multi-million pound drug and gun empire.
Anderson, 45, and Thomas Guthrie, 25, acted with others in the fatal shooting of Mr More, 32, on September 6, 2018.
Anderson lured Mr More from his home moments before the unidentified gunman emerged from a car and repeatedly blasted him on the head and body, while Guthrie was the getaway driver.
At the High Court in Glasgow last week, Anderson was jailed for 21 years and nine months and Guthrie for 21 years and seven months.
Police welcomed the conviction of the pair, but say they think one other person was involved in the “planned and reckless” attack.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick said: “This investigation has been long and complicated, and although it continues, two people have now been brought to justice.
“We believe that at least one other person was involved in this incident and they can be rest assured that we will do everything we can to also bring them to justice.”
Two men involved in the assassination of a gym owner on his own door step have been jailed for a total of more than 40 years.
Neil Anderson, 45, and Thomas Guthrie, 25, acted with others in the fatal shooting of Gary More, 32, in Airdrie on September 6, 2018.
Anderson lured Mr More from his home moments before a gunman – who has never been identified – emerged from a car and repeatedly blasted him on the head and body.
Guthrie, meantime, was the getaway driver.
Mr More 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 murdering Mr More.
He was found guilty 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.
Judge Lord Mulholland told the pair: “This was pre-planned 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 the night before and was paid money for it.
“Mr More was shot 11 times, three times to the head – there was no prospect of him surviving the brutal prolonged attack.”
Anderson was jailed for 21 years and nine months and Guthrie for 21 years and seven months.
The judge added that Mr More’s family have been given a life sentence.
Anderson, of Bothwell, put his two thumbs up and waved to the public gallery as he was led from court.
The trial was shown CCTV of Anderson arriving at Mr More’s house in a hired Berlingo van shortly before the murder.
Anderson – who was eating a bag of chips – and Mr More were then seen chatting at the front of the property before a white Skoda pulled up beside them.
The gunman left the car and repeatedly fired at Mr More as Anderson walked off screen.
The shooter then sprinted back into the car with driver Guthrie racing off.
The court heard that Anderson stayed at the scene for around 13 minutes and dialled 999 before leaving. The Skoda was later found torched near Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.
Mr More’s cause of death was “gunshot wounds to the head and neck” – the court heard that one had passed completely through the brain.
Anderson denied in evidence of being involved in a plot to lure Mr More out of his home stating it was: “So far from the truth, it’s unbelievable.”
Mr Ewing asked Anderson if had he pressured Mr More over “drug debts”.
Anderson and his 37-year-old brother David were cleared midtrial of being involved in cocaine dealing after the allegation was dropped.
Neil Anderson told the advocate depute: “I was acquitted of being involved in drugs, how could I do that?
“I have not been involved in drugs with Gary More or anyone else. I have been acquitted and now I’m being pressured.”
Detective sergeant Nick Eaton earlier told the trial how Mr More was given a “police personal safety warning” six weeks before the murder.
DS Eaton said that Mr More had signed the document but that he was not “interested” in it.
Neil and David Anderson were acquitted by the jury of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards Mr More aggravated by a connection to serious organised crime.
Mr Findlay told the court that Neil Anderson continues to protest his innocence and stated that he believes he has been subjected to a “miscarriage of justice.”
Thomas Ross, who was defending Guthrie, said: “His conduct cannot be mitigated and it was a very bad decision on his part to become involved.”