Thugs caged for 101 years after 'gangland' attacks left man with hand 'hanging off' and prison cars torched
Six thugs guilty after a series of suspected gangland attacks have been jailed for a total of 101 years.
The mob's crime included ambushing a man whose hand was left hanging off as well as the sinister torching of prison officers' cars. They were today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow having been found guilty after a lengthy trial last month.
The crimes occurred in and around Edinburgh in 2022 and 2023. Michael Heeps was jailed for 23 years - he had been convicted of eight charges including three attempted murders and being involved in the blazes at HMP Addiewell.
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The 34 year-old is a trusted lieutenant of Edinburgh crime boss Mark Richardson. John Murray, 25, was jailed for 17 years for five charges involving two murder bids.
Lee Ridgway, 33, was involved in three of the attempted murders and the incidents at Addiewell. He was sentenced to 22 years. Dale Bauld, 33, will serve 17 years for his part in two of the violent attacks.
Damien Mullen, 26, was imprisoned for 14 years for attempted murder and the torching of the cars. Ryan McGovern – who had fled the UK – was involved in the Addiewell blazes. The 33 year-old was jailed for eight years.
Lord Mulholland today said: “The courts and the public will not put up with this type of out of control gangsterism. The sentences that I impose are intended to punish and deter you and anyone else who is considering engaging in this behaviour.
“The message to the public for those that may be contemplating or emulating you is 'don't, as there will be a very high price to pay'.”
Ryan Brown was one of the gang's victims having been attacked near his home in the capital's Pilton on January 5 2023. The 30 year-old was walking to a friend's house when a car raced up and a machete wielding assailant “casually” got out to strike him.
Brown recalled trying to fend off the blows as the weapon was wildly swung at him. He shouted at the balaclava-clad attacker: “What are you doing, mate?” - but the thug remained silent.
Brown slumped to the ground in agony.
He told prosecutor John Keenan KC: "I remember screaming and everyone running over. My hand was literally hanging off. I thought I was dying on the doorstep."
He was rushed to hospital where he was in the operating theatre for 12 hours. This included surgery to repair his hand. Mr Brown told the trial he still remains affected by what happened and is expecting further operations.
He said speaking about it again was "bringing back bad memories". Peajmaan Khosrowpour was earlier targeted in a “high speed chase” between Edinburgh and Dalkeith.
He was forced off the road and his car smashed into a wall. The man was left with a “large gaping wound” to his arm after he was struck with machetes. He also needed a number of operations, has been left scarred for life and remains physically affected by the incident.
A physio has told him his condition is "as good as its going to get". Robert McLintock was ambushed by masked attackers in late January 2023 in the capital's Ferniehill area.
This man ended up intensive care and a coma following the assault. Kieran Jenkins had also been targeted in December 2022 in Bilston, near Edinburgh.
They were said to be “lying in wait” before confronting him as he was in his car. They smashed the vehicle up with bladed weapons. He fortunately escaped unharmed. In a 999 call, Jenkins, however, said the attackers had tried to “chop him up”.
Mr Keenan told jurors: "It is plain they planned to attack Kieran Jenkins and cause him harm."
"He was left in no doubt that was their intention. There was no injury, but you can still regard this as a murderous attack."
The fire attacks at HMP Addiewell occurred on January 7 2023. A total of six vehicles were set alight late at night designed to intimidate prison staff.
The court heard how CCTV footage and forensic evidence helped snare the mob, who had also tried to intimidate a witness by leaving a note calling her “a grass”.
McGovern had fled the UK initially via Campbeltown in Argyle and Bute and onto Dublin. He went on travel to the Netherlands before going to Cambodia, VIetnam, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
He was eventually traced and extradited back to Scotland.
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “The use of violence is always completely unacceptable. Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.
"These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and this behaviour will not be tolerated. These sentences show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce's national strategy.
"I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice. I would again like to thank officers who worked on this investigation, as well as our partners in forensic services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, for their work. I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation."