Scots hoods behind bars following a menacing ganglang reign of terror
KINGPIN'S CREW CAGED Scots hoods behind bars following a menacing ganglang reign of terror
SIX hoods were today blasted by a judge for 'out of control gangsterism' after being nailed for a campaign of terror including machete murder bids.
The crew — run by caged Edinburgh cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson — left four petrified victims with gruesome injuries and torched six prison officers' cars outside a jail.
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Ryan McGovern was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow
Credit: Police Scotland
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Dale Bauld is tonight behind bars after being nicked by cops
Credit: Police Scotland
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John Murray was involved in serious organised crime in Scotland
Credit: Police Scotland
John Murray, 25, Ryan McGovern and Dale Bauld, both 33, were among the mob brought down by CCTV and a handwritten note slamming a 'grass'.
Meanwhile a victim of a gang machete attack told how he feared he was going to die after being left with his hand 'hanging off'.
Ryan Brown, 30, was pounced on near his home by a blade thug linked to caged druglord Mark Richardson, 38.
He recalled trying to fend off blows as the weapon was wildly swung at him in Pilton, Edinburgh, by a brute wearing a balaclava in January 2023.
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And he told prosecutor John Keenan KC at Glasgow's High Court: 'My hand was literally hanging off. I thought I was dying on the doorstep.'
Today, six of Richardson's mob were convicted of a series of horror attacks, including the bid to murder Mr Brown.
Michael Heeps, 34, John Murray, 25, Lee Ridgway, 32, Dale Bauld, 33, Damien Mullen, 26, and Ryan McGovern, 33, were put behind bars until they're sentenced next month.
Judge Lord Mulholland told them they'd been found guilty of 'out-of-control gangsterism'.
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A trial heard the sidekicks torched the motors of six staff members at HMP Addiewell, West Lothian.
Another victim, Peajmaan Khosrowpour, had his car forced off the road before it smashed into a wall near Edinburgh.
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He was then struck with machetes and left with a 'large gaping wound' to his arm.
Robert McLintock was ambushed by masked yobs in the capital's Ferniehill area and ended up in a coma.
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Kieran Jenkins was targeted in Bilston, Midlothian.
In a 999 call, he said the attackers had tried to 'chop him up'.
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Mark Richardson's associates are being targeted by a Dubai-based hood
Credit: Alan Ewing - The Sun Glasgow
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Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger today at Fettes Police Station, Edinburgh
Credit: Alan Simpson
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Prison officers' cars were targeted outside Addiewell Prison, West Lothian.
Credit: Roddy Scott
McGovern was extradited back to face trial after fleeing to the Far East and UAE.
He was found guilty with Heeps, Ridgway and Mullen over the blazes at Addiewell.
Heeps was also nailed for three attempted murders and four other charges.
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Ridgeway was convicted of three attempted murders, with Murray and Bauld both found to be involved in two.
Mullen was found guilty of one attempted murder.
Mr Keenan revealed all six had lengthy criminal pasts.
And a source said: 'They're all in Richardson's gang.'
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Lord Mulholland told them: 'You have been convicted of a number of serious charges which can only be described as out-of-control gangsterism.'
People linked to Richardson are being targeted by Dubai-based hood Ross McGill, 31.
The ex-Rangers ultras chief was left raging after fake cash was used in a £500,000 drugs deal.
He ordered blade attacks, shootings and firebombings across the Central Belt.
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Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: 'The violence involved in each of these cases is 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 I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.
"Each of these incidents formed part of a long and incredibly complex investigation.
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"Detectives, working alongside specialist officers from across the country, were meticulous in going through every detail and ultimately bringing these six men to justice.
"I would like to thank them, 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.
"These convictions show Police Scotland's commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.
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"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."
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