FORMER pupils of a missing teacher cops fear has been murdered have launched a bid to have him honoured by the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme. Peter Coshan has been missing since August 11 and police are currently carrying out a cross-border search for his body.
The 75-year was last seen in the Seafield Road area on Edinburgh, around four miles from his home in Stockbridge, at 11.50pm on Thursday August 11 but his body has never been recovered.
Two men have been charged in connection with the his murder.
Now former pupils from the prestigious Fettes College in the capital have started an online campaign to have Dr Coshan’s 33-year association with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme recognised. Former pupil Peter Sharp, who started the campaign, has urged all former students of the biology tutor to sign his petition.
He said: “Dr Peter Coshan was at Fettes College from 1972 until 2005, and was lead on its Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme for pupils there for 33 years. He is regularly named in the Old Fettesian Association and is warmly remembered by former pupils and staff as a leading figure at the school.
“Tragically he is missing and two men have been charged with his murder, with his body yet to be found. I feel it would be befitting this wonderful educator some sort of posthumous award for his service and commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
“I personally benefited from his support and mentorship at my time at Fettes College, and was a participant in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. I would encourage all Old Fettesians to sign and share this petition.”
Several former pupils from the college, which counts former Prime Minister Tony Blair as one of its alumni, have paid tribute to the pensioner who has been described as a “true gent”.
One wrote: “Cosh was very helpful when I arrived in the middle years (fifth Form) I was a bit daunted and he took me under his wing, introduced me to all my year and got me involved. Will never forget that, a true Gent and a sad loss. God bless you Cosh and RIP’
Earlier this week police revealed a dark blue Vauxhall Vectra, which could also appear black, seen in the Borders and Northumberland area on the evening of Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16, could be key to their investigation.
Officers are urging people to think back and consider if they saw something unusual during the hours of darkness on those days.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “This is obviously a very distressing time for Peter’s family and our priority is to find him. I am therefore seeking the public’s help in trying to find Peter’s body.
“I am appealing for anyone who may have been in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, including travelling on the A7, the A68 or any others roads in these areas, during the hours of darkness on Monday, 15 August, and Tuesday, 16 August.”
Police believe him to be dead and are treating his disappearance as murder. Paul Black, 63, also known as Joseph Hillary, and Paul McNaughton, 27, have been charged in connection with the alleged incident and appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday August 18.
Both men were also charged with theft and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
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