A 17-year-old has been locked up for 18 months after launching fireworks at police, targeting a petrol station, and terrorising residents during large-scale riots in Edinburgh last Bonfire Night.
Riot police pictured in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night(Image: Daily Record)
A teenager who took part in large-scale public disorder across Edinburgh during bonfire night last has been jailed for 18 months.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, August 4, after pleading guilty to charges of mobbing and rioting, as well as culpable and reckless conduct. His crimes were linked to two separate incidents in the city in October and November last year.
Chaos unfolded in Calder Road and Sighthill Court on November 5 when the teen joined a group who launched a sustained and violent attack on police officers, threw fireworks near a petrol station, and caused extensive damage to property.
Buses were forced to withdraw from the area, and residents were left too frightened to leave their homes as the riot continued for more than two hours.
CCTV footage showed the youth throwing fireworks and rocks at officers, setting fire to bins and street furniture, and aiming pyrotechnics at parked cars and members of the public. The attack resulted in thousands of pounds’ worth of damage to a local car dealership, while a nearby fire station was also targeted.
The teenager also admitted involvement in a separate incident on October 5 on Princes Street and South St Andrews Street, where around 50 young people were seen setting off fireworks at pedestrians, into the road, and at buildings.
During the hour-long disturbance, he was observed handing fireworks to others and actively participating in the violence. Members of the public were left cowering to protect themselves. At one point, a firework exploded beneath a police vehicle.
The youth had been remanded in custody since his arrest and has already served eight months in detention.
Yobs throw bricks, bottles and fireworks at the police in Edinburgh(Image: Police Scotland)
Both offences were aggravated by the use of pyrotechnics against emergency workers and by the fact that the teen was on bail at the time.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: : “The scenes we witnessed in Calder Road, along with other areas of the city, last Bonfire Night were wholly unacceptable and resulted in a local car dealership having thousands of pounds worth of damage inflicted upon their vehicles, while our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also had their station in the area targeted.
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“This individual was an active participant in the disorder and damage that took place during this time, and he was subsequently arrested as a result of thorough inquiries conducted by local officers and CID colleagues.
“His prison sentence is a welcome outcome and should once again highlight the joint commitment of both Police Scotland and COPFS to ensure those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice for their dangerous and unacceptable actions.”
Neil Almond, interim Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, condemned the teenager’s actions: “In the incident on November 5, 2024, significant damage was caused to property, running into thousands of pounds.
Police at the garage.(Image: Supplied.)
“Setting off fireworks in the direction of the petrol station forecourt was an act so dangerous it could have caused petrol pumps to ignite, putting staff and members of the public at risk of serious injury or worse.
“Our message to young people who carry out this type of offending is that having a criminal record will seriously impact your life.
“They should fully understand that a conviction may affect their liberty and their ability to lead a normal, unrestricted life.
A total of 61 people were reported by Police Scotland for incidents related to public disorder in the weeks around Bonfire Night last year, most of them from Edinburgh and Glasgow.