SWNS/PAA coin enthusiast who murdered a fellow collector for his limited edition Beatrix Potter 50 pence coins is now facing a life sentence.
33-year-old Danny Bostock, of Colchester, Essex, stabbed Gordon McGhee, 52, 17 times in his bedroom after he was disturbed while trying to steal the coins.
Bostock then proceeded to leave the gas on in Mr McGhee’s home, lighting a dishcloth before fleeing the murder scene. He had apparently hoped to blow up the flat in a bid to cover up his crimes.
Bostock had known Mr McGhee through mutual friend Melissa McGrory, and shared his hobby of coin collecting.
Bostock had learned about Mr McGhee’s possession of the rare Beatrix Potter coins in the weeks prior to his death, with Mr McGhee having offered to give him some of his spare collectibles.
SWNSBostock was later arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mr McGhee but denied the charges. On March 8, Bostock was unanimously convicted of murder and attempted arson at Ipswich Crown Court.
As Bostock left the dock and returned to the cells, prosecutor Andrew Jackson, read out his previous convictions.
Judge David Goodin, who stated the starting point for the minimum tariff would be 30 years, has said he would have addressed Bostock with the following statement:
Any murder is horrific – this one extremely so and as a matter of law a life sentence must follow.
Bostock and Mr McGhee had been drinking as part of a group at the flats in the hours prior to Mr McGhee’s murder. Tensions had arisen between Bostock and another man present – Daniel Welham – over coins which had disappeared from Miss McGrory’s home.
Ms McGrory reportedly cut herself in a bid to shock the pair and put a stop to the argument, and Bostock did the same. Mr Welham then left, with Miss McGrory going to hospital. It was then Bostock entered Mr McGhee’s flat to steal his coveted coins.
After Mr McGhee intervened, Bostock stabbed him 17 times, leaving him with stab wounds to his face and neck, and searched his flat.
SWNSMr McGhee’s family have given the following touching tribute to the ‘kind-hearted, gentle’ dad:
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, has given the following statement:
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.
SWNSDanny Bostock will be sentenced on March 19 at Ipswich Crown Court.
Our thoughts are with the family of Gordon McGhee at this difficult time.
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