Killer of former Fettes College teacher must serve at least 22 years in jail

A 29-year-old man who admitted murdering a retired Fettes College teacher in a catfishing plot has been sentenced to life in prison and ordered to serve at least 22 years behind bars.

Paul McNaughton killed 75-year-old Peter Coshan in a flat in Leith on either August 11 or 12 2022, after using a fake profile on a gay hook-up site to lure him to the address.

McNaughton first met the retired biology teacher online in 2021 and proceeded to steal tens of thousands of pounds from him after gaining access to his bank accounts.

When Mr Coshan found out about the thefts, he threatened to go to the police unless McNaughton provided him with free sexual favours, and McNaughton hatched a plot to kill the retired teacher after becoming “fed up” with the situation.

Following the killing, McNaughton, along with his flatmate Paul Black, 65, hid the pensioner’s body until about August 15, when they put it in a suitcase and drove it to a layby on the A696 between Otterburn and Belsay in Northumberland, where they dumped it next to a wall.

McNaughton, who admitted murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice in 2023 before Black’s trial, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars when he was sentenced at Glasgow High Court on Monday.

Black was cleared of murder following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in May, with the jury returning a not proven verdict.

However, during the trial he admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice and was sentenced to five and a half years for that.

Judge Lord Scott said it was made “clear” to him during Black’s trial Mr Coshan was “a loved brother, uncle and friend” to those who knew him.

He noted Coshan had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s in his latter years and told McNaughton he had “exploited” the former teacher’s deteriorating health “before you decided he must die”.

Lord Scott went on to discuss how McNaughton then helped himself to bank cards belonging to Mr Coshan and embarked on a “spending spree” during which he “siphoned off more of his money”.

“Having exploited Peter Coshan in life, you continued to do so in his death,” he told McNaughton.

The judge said Mr Coshan “suffered further affront” through the pair loading his body into a suitcase and attempting to bury it in a lay-by.

He noted a victim impact statement completed by Mr Coshan’s niece on his family’s behalf said his murder had had a “devastating” impact on them all.

“His family did not know and may never know what happened in their loved one’s final moments,” he said.

Neither McNaughton nor Black showed any emotion as they were led out the dock in handcuffs.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “This was a callous and brutal murder of an elderly man who was quietly enjoying his retirement.

“Peter was loved by his family and friends in the local community. He had a positive impact on the lives of so many people.

“But his own life was cut short by the despicable actions of Paul McNaughton.

“He showed a cavalier disregard for his actions and will now serve a life sentence for his crimes.”

She added: “Our thoughts remain with Peter’s friends and family who have waited patiently for justice to be served as they come to terms with today’s outcome.”

In a statement issued through police at the end of the trial, Mr Coshan’s family said they remain “horrified” that anybody could have “treated a vulnerable 75-year-old in such a despicable manner”.

They said: “Our life will never be the same and we will always ask the question, what if?

“There is, of course, no answer to what if, as events have overtaken us and there is no going back in time.

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