A man who cold-bloodedly killed a crooked businessman in a gangland-style execution has been jailed for at least 16 years after his victim named him as his killer with his dying breath.
David Hughes, 41, was convicted of the murder of Andrew Best at Dobbies Garden Centre in Cumbernauld on June 4, 2007, following a murder trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Hughes lured Mr Best to the garden centre and stabbed him 16 times. Hughes's henchman, John Maguire, 24, hit Mr Best twice over the head with a wheelbrace. He is currently serving four years for culpable homicide.
Lord Matthews yesterday sentenced Hughes to life imprisonment and set the punishment part he must serve before he is eligible to apply for parole.
The judge told Hughes: "The jury found you guilty of the murder of Andrew Best. There was obviously an element of pre-planning and premeditation. I don't know if murder was intended or the pre-planning was simply to assault him, but the crime of murder was committed.
"You will serve 16 years in prison before you are eligible for parole."
The trial heard that Hughes flew into Scotland from Holland the day before the murder. He and Maguire phoned Mr Best at his Stirling home and asked him to meet them in Cumbernauld.
They then drove to the venue in a hired Ford Fiesta arriving around 8pm.
As soon as Mr Best parked his van Hughes opened its door and began attacking him with a knife, while Maguire hit him over the head with a wheelbrace. After the killing Hughes and Maguire drove off in the hire car.
Minutes later motorists driving near the garden centre saw Mr Best staggering in the roadway waving one arm as if to attract attention. He was holding his throat with his other hand and his clothes were drenched in blood.
The court heard that when asked who had done this by police giving first aid Mr Best replied: "Davie Hughes."
After the killing, Hughes organised a clean-up operation which involved disposing of bloodstained clothing, cleaning the hire car and replacing all four tyres.
While this was going on Hughes had already left the country. Hours after the killing he was in London celebrating his 40th birthday.
The court heard at the time of the murder both Maguire and Mr Best were targets of a police undercover drugs operation codenamed Operation Meadow. On the day of the killing neither man was being followed by police.
After sentencing Hughes, Lord Matthews jailed Maguire, 24, for 18 months for contempt of court.
During the trial Maguire told prosecutor Michael Meehan: "I don't want to make a mockery of the justice system, but I'm under duress. I'm not going to answer questions."
Maguire refused to answer any questions about statements he made to police about the incident despite repeated warnings from Lord Matthews.
After sentencing Maguire, Lord Matthews said: "In my opinion two years is not long enough for this offence particularly in the High Court."
Defence QC Paul McBride said: "His co-accused David Hughes is not a man to be trifled with. Maguire was under the most significant pressure not to give evidence."
Maguire will serve the 18-month sentence at the end of the four-year sentence he is currently serving for the culpable homicide of Mr Best.
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