A senior police officer has welcomed the convictions of a gang of six men involved in “heinous” offences in Edinburgh and Midlothian, following a lengthy trial.
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said he was “very pleased” after the six were convicted on Tuesday.
Michael Heeps, Lee Ridgway, John Murray, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern were found guilty of a number of offences following a seven-week trial at Glasgow High Court.
These included attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice – linked to events which took place in 2022 and 2023.
Some of these offences related to fire-raising attacks on the cars of prison officers.
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Speaking outside Fettes police station following the convictions, Mr Grainger said there had been a “significant” investigation to bring the men to justice.
He told the PA news agency: “Today’s convictions represent the culmination of a long and very complex, challenging inquiry that dealt with really, really serious crime on the streets of Edinburgh and Midlothian.
“Four charges of attempted murder and other charges for wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
“We’re very pleased with the verdict today and it is a fantastic response to what was a significant inquiry.”
He said police moved quickly as soon as the incidents began, adding: “It did escalate very, very quickly.
“The fact that prison officers were targeted certainly made it much more serious in our eyes.
“You know, public servants trying to do their best to keep the streets of Scotland safe.
“Particularly heinous offending and we’re very, very committed to tackling that and bringing people to account for it.”
The senior officer made clear that the men “planned and operated together as a team” in carrying out the attacks.
He said they were responsible for “serious and organised crime” but he said he could not give further information on exactly who it was attributed to.
Police across Scotland are currently investigating a string of violent incidents related to a gang feud involving well-known underworld figures, affecting both the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas.
The wide-ranging investigation into these incidents is known as Operation Portaledge and there have been 50 arrests so far.
Mr Grainger said the men convicted on Tuesday played “no active role” in the current offending being dealt with under Operation Portaledge.