Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Man involved in gun murder has sentence appeal rejected
He will serve almost 22 years for his part in assassination
A car dealer who lured an Airdrie gym owner from his home before he was shot dead by a gunman has had his appeal against a near 22-year jail sentence thrown out.
Neil Anderson was found guilty of murder last July for his part in the assassination of Gary More in September 2018.
The 46-year-old had lodged an appeal in November against both his conviction and sentence of 21 years and nine months.
His appeal against conviction was rejected at an earlier stage, but the bid to cut his sentence proceeded and was considered at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh last Wednesday.
It was heard by the Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Pentland and Lord Matthews, who refused Anderson’s appeal.
Anderson had been sentenced along with getaway driver Thomas Guthrie, 26, following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last year.
The court had heard how Anderson lured Gary, 32, 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, who was paid a sixfigure sum to take part in the shooting, had pleaded guilty to murder before the trial.
Sentencing the pair to a combined total of more than 43 years’ imprisonment, trial judge Lord Mulholland had told them: “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, reccied the place 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.”
The trial was shown CCTV of Anderson, of Bothwell, arriving at Gary’s house on Gartness Drive in a hired Berlingo van shortly before the murder.
Both men 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 Gary as Anderson walked off screen.
The shooter then sprinted back into the car with driver Guthrie racing off. The court heard Anderson stayed at the scene for around 13 minutes and dialled 999 before leaving.
The Skoda was later found torched near Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.
Gary’s cause of death was “gunshot wounds to the head and neck.” One had passed completely through the brain. Anderson had denied in evidence of being involved in a plot to lure Gary out of his home stating it was: “So far from the truth, it’s unbelievable.”