Friend of man shot dead denies setting him up to be murdered

A man told a jury on Friday that he denies setting his friend up to be murdered just yards from the victim’s doorstep.

Neil Anderson, 45, was giving evidence at the trial where he is accused of being involved in the killing of Gary More, 32, in Airdrie, South Lanarkshire, on September 6, 2018.

Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow watched CCTV of the shooting.

Anderson and Mr More were seen conversing shortly before a gunman got out of a car and fatally shot him on the head and body.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing QC said to Anderson: “Your part was to go to the house and get him out.”

Anderson replied: “You are talking rubbish.”

Mr Ewing then stated: “Once he was out front, he would be there for the men who were going to drive there and kill him.”

Anderson responded: “So far from the truth, it’s unbelievable.”

Mr Ewing followed up: “Knowing the gunman was there, coming round the corner, you stepped away to give the shooter a clear line of sight.”

Anderson replied: “Absolutely not.”

It was put to Anderson that he attended the murder scene in a hired van as a way to conceal his involvement in the attack.

He replied: “No, you are being ludicrous.”

Anderson earlier told jurors that he changed his SIM card into a different phone on the day of the murder as his iPhone had broken.

Mr Ewing said: “You owned another phone as you knew that the iPhone would be taken.”

Anderson replied: “Come on, please.”

Neil and brother David Anderson, 37, are also accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards Mr More by attending his home, threatening him and demanding money.

The pair were acquitted of a separate allegation of being concerned in the supply of drugs between March and September 2018.

Mr Ewing dropped the charge against them earlier this week.

The offences were said to be aggravated by a connection to organised crime.

Jurors were earlier shown CCTV footage of the Andersons visiting Mr More’s property in July 2018.

Mr Ewing asked: “Did you pressure Mr More over drug debts?”

Anderson replied: “I was acquitted of being involved in drugs, how could I do that?

“I have not been involved in drugs with Gary More or anyone else.

“I have been acquitted and now I’m being pressured.

“He was a big boy and David never had a problem with Gary More.

“We were friends, I don’t know what you want to do.

“You have broken me, I can’t tell you anything, I have never pressurised Gary More, that’s my final answer.”

Mr Ewing then asked: “What was the reason [for going outside]?”