Colchester man found guilty of murdering another man over coin collection

8 March 2019, 17:17

A man from Colchester, accused of killing an acquaintance for a collectable coin collection has been found guilty of murder.

Gordon McGhee (pictured), 52, was found dead in the bedroom of his Forest Road flat just before 2pm on August 22, 2018.

He had been stabbed a total of 17 times and the gas cooker had been left on, with a half-burned dishcloth left in the hallway.

Danny Bostock, 33, of Berberis Walk, was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted arson with intent to endanger life on August 24.

The court heard how Mr McGhee, several of his neighbours and Bostock had been drinking together late into the night of August 21.

The group had helped Mr McGhee back into his flat just before midnight and, after talking for a while, left the flat so that he could go to bed.

Mr McGhee then left his flat to speak to one of his neighbours, returning to bed at around 1am. The majority of the group, including Bostock, were still in the hallway outside his flat at the time.

It is believed that the rest of the group left the block of flats between 1.50am and 3am.

Bostock was later seen cycling home on CCTV at around 4.30am, having murdered Mr McGhee.

Following the discovery of Mr McGhee’s body the following afternoon, two footwear impressions was found in the flat.

The jury heard how the impressions of this trainer were determined, through footwear analysis, to be a Lonsdale trainer. Upon searching Bostock’s address a few days later, a shoe box for Lonsdale
Camden Town trainers was recovered. CCTV from the local shop also showed Bostock wearing these trainers on the evening of August 21.

During his interview, Bostock tried to deny owning any Lonsdale trainers.  

The DNA found on the burnt dishcloth, after being run through the DNA database, was found to be a match for Bostock.

Bostock’s DNA was also found on a ripped package used to store Mr McGhee’s collectible coins, a large quantity of which were missing.

The collectable coins believed to be taken by Bostock have not been recovered.  

Bostock continued to plead innocence throughout his trial but, today, (Friday, March 8) was found guilty of murder and guilty of arson with intent by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court after a three-week trial.

Paying tribute, Mr McGhee's family said: "Gordon was a kind-hearted, gentle soul. As a dad he was thoughtful, supportive, encouraging and a whole heap of fun and laughter.

"As a partner and friend he was loyal, generous, empathetic and witty. He found joy in a variety of things from his coins to playing chess and watching films. "Most of his life was spent in the kitchen cooking up something amazingly tasty or outside relishing in nature. You could usually find him by a pond or lake relaxing doing some fishing, birdwatching and camping. More often than not, he'd be accompanied by one of his dogs."

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “My thoughts are with Mr McGhee’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“Gordon McGhee, by all accounts, was a well-liked man and his death was a great shock to everyone.

“I don’t believe that Bostock shows any remorse at all for taking Mr McGhee’s life. His continued lies, including trying to pin the murder on an innocent man and his denial of owning the trainers that we knew were key to this investigation, show that.  

“His attack on Mr McGhee was senseless and brutal. He is an incredibly dangerous man and I hope he is sent to prison for a long time.”

Mr Bostock will be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on March 19th.