Murder Inc: Gangland enforcer and financial adviser convicted of plot to kill city businessman

Doris, who boasted of shooting seven men and often signed his text messages "Murder Inc", was trapped after boasting of his plans to a former vice girl who later gave evidence against him.

The 40-year-old hardened criminal was convicted alongside former business consultant and property developer Martin Black, 33, who had hired Doris as a bodyguard.

Black was living in fear of Kevin Martin, who claimed he was owed thousands of pounds from a business deal, and Doris was soon hired to kill him.

Together, Doris and Black built up an arsenal of weapons, including guns and knives, and tried to set up ambushes to murder Martin, 38, in the Capital.

Yesterday, both men were found guilty by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh of conspiring to murder Martin between 1 June and 6 July 2008.

Doris, who has already served time for firearms offences, was a right-hand man of feared Edinburgh gangster George "Dode" Buchanan.

Convicted heroin dealer Buchanan, 52, was spotted visiting him at court to lend support to his friend and associate during the two-week trial.

Another gangland associate who turned up at court to support Doris was Peter Simpson, 50. Simpson was previously convicted of drug dealing and dog fighting offences, and was shot by gunman Marc Webley during an Edinburgh drug war in 2005.

Well-known in gangland circles for his affinity with firearms, Doris had a homemade "pole gun" complete with silencer, which he claimed to use for "hits".

Doris and Black were also found guilty of having a car with a false number plate and weapons to be used in the murder of Martin, and of advising two drug addicts, Claire Lizanec and Connie Comrie, of their intention to track down and kill him.

A "honey trap" allegation that the men attempted to induce Ms Lizanec to visit Martin's address pretending to be an escort girl to allow them to ambush their target was deleted by the jury.

After the jury returned its verdicts, advocate depute John Scullion, who also prosecuted The Marmion pub shootings case, said Doris had previously been jailed for nine years for offences, including firearms crimes.

Temporary judge Norman Ritchie QC deferred sentence on Doris and Black until next month for reports and ordered that both men be remanded in custody.