Killer jailed after luring man to death on dating app

A man who murdered a retired school teacher after luring him to his death on a dating app has been ordered to serve at least 22 years in prison.

Paul McNaughton was handed a life sentence after he admitted murdering Peter Coshan, 75, in Edinburgh in August 2022.

McNaughton, 29, used a fake profile on a dating app to entice the former Fettes College teacher to a flat in Leith before killing him.

With his flatmate Paul Black, McNaughton hid the body for days before dumping it near a lay-by in Northumberland.

Black, 65, who was cleared of murder, was sentenced to a minimum of five and half years in jail after being convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

They were both sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

Prosecutors said the killing occurred for "nothing more than financial gain".

After the pair were sentenced, Dr Coshan's family thanked those who have supported them through "this nightmare".

"This is in stark contrast to the worst of human nature, which was displayed by the individual who took Peter's life," they added.

"We remain horrified that anybody could have treated a vulnerable 75-year-old in such a despicable manner.

"Our life will never be the same and we will always ask the question, 'What if?'

"However, we have happy memories of Peter and can reflect on the positive impact he had on so many people's lives."

Dr Coshan taught at Fettes College - the prestigious Edinburgh public school which counts former prime minister Tony Blair among its former pupils - from 1972 until his retirement in 2005.

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."