Monday 17 June 2024 10:30 PM
Nafeza 2 world - McNaughton first met Dr Coshan online in 2021. He stole tens of thousands of pounds from him after gaining access to his bank accounts.
When the retired biology teacher found out about the thefts, he threatened to go to the police unless McNaughton provided him with sexual favours. McNaughton hatched a plot to kill the Dr Coshan after becoming "fed up" with the situation.
Black was "infatuated" with McNaughton after first meeting him 10 years ago at a gay bar in Edinburgh but admitted he was "scared" of him.
Following the killing, the pair spent Dr Coshan’s money on a McDonald’s meal, visited a funfair in Fife and bought a car which they used to transport his body to England.
They returned to a lay-by on the A696, between Otterburn and Belsay, the following night with shovels and planned to dig a grave but the ground was too hard.
Dr Coshan's body was then left at a wall, where it remained for about a month before being discovered by police.
Lord Scott told McNaughton that Dr Coshan was a "gentle and committed friend" who enjoyed life despite being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease five years before his death.
"You exploited his illness and vulnerabilities over a period of time before deciding that he must die," the judge added.
"You planned to murder him entirely for your own benefit. You lured him under carefully planned pretences and perceptions.
"You and your co-accused covered up the crime to avoid the consequences of this awful act."
Lord Scott told Black that Dr Coshan was shown "no respect and offered no dignity" following his murder.
"What you did to conceal his murder means his family and friends don't know and may never know what happened in his final moments," he added.
"The cause of his death cannot be ascertained and your actions have exacerbated the trauma caused to his family and friends."
John Scullion KC, defending McNaughton, told the sentencing hearing that there was a "pre-meditated nature" to his client's actions.
Tony Lenehan KC, defending Black, stated: "On the evidence, it's accepted that he was completely subordinate to Mr McNaughton.
"The general nature of the trial was that he was infatuated with him and he played a subordinate role and he will be punished for that."
