A car dealer who lured a gym owner from his home before he was shot dead by a gunman had his appeal against a near 22-year jail sentence thrown out.
Neil Anderson was convicted of murder last July for his part in the assassination of Gary More, 32, in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, in September 2018.
Anderson, 46, was sentenced along with getaway driver Thomas Guthrie, 26, following his trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Anderson lodged an appeal against both his conviction and sentence last November.
The appeal against conviction was rejected at an earlier stage, but the bid to cut his sentence of 21 years and nine months was allowed to proceed.
The case was considered at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh on Wednesday in front of the Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Pentland and Lord Matthews.
The judges refused Anderson’s appeal.
Last year’s trial heard how Anderson lured Gary 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.
The court heard Gary had been warned by police about a potential threat to his safety weeks before the killing.
Anderson was found guilty of murder five years after he walked free from the same dock when he was accused of being involved in a £7 million cocaine empire.
Guthrie - paid six figures to take part in the shooting - had pled guilty to murder before the trial.
Sentencing the pair to more than 40 years imprisonment, judge Lord Mulholland 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 with 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, South Lanarkshire, arriving at Gary’s house in a hired Berlingo van shortly before the murder.
Anderson - who was eating a bag of chips - and Gary 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.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
