26-05-2025
Four men in court over 'firebombing' at Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson's pal's home and taxi firm
Four men have appeared in court charged in connection with alleged gangland firebombings across Edinburgh and Lanarkshire.
Robert Thomson, 18, Kieran Abercrombie, 31, Tyler Ramage, 18, and Kenzie Gardner, 18, were arrested by cops executing warrants in early morning raids on Friday, May 23, at addresses in Edinburgh, Whitburn and Bathgate, reports The Daily Record.
They appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday facing a number of various charges. Thomson, from Whitburn, appeared charged with three counts of wilful fire-raising and a firearms offence.
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He made no plea and was granted bail to appear again at a later date. Abercrombie, from Whitburn, also made no plea after being charged with three counts of wilful fireraising. He was remanded in custody to appear again within eight days.
Ramage, of no fixed abode, was charged with two counts of wilful fireraising. He made no plea and was granted bail to appear again at a later date.
Gardner, from Bathgate, was charged with with three counts of wilful fireraising. He made no plea and was granted bail to appear again at a later date.
We told how the home of David McMillan Snr, a close pal of mob boss Mark Richardson, on Pitcairn Grove was allegedly "firebombed" on Thursday, May 8.
McMillan Snr's home was previously targeted on April 17, when masked thugs set the front door of his property on fire while children slept inside. And on Thursday May 22 another incident occurred when a "machete attack" left the 54-year-old in hospital with serious injuries.
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Police said they are treating the incident as attempted murder and hunting a gang of masked men who were seen fleeing the area.
One of the 18-year-olds and Abercrombie were also charged in connection with fire-raising at Deuce Private Hire on Cumbernauld Road in Stepps on May 8, 2025.
The business is understood to be linked to the Daniels crime clan.
Pictures from the scene showed officers standing guard and police tape around the unit where the main front office window was boarded up.
Another image showed CID officers examining the scene with one officer pictured wearing blue forensic gloves.
In the past week a 21-year-old man appeared in court after the homes of Steven Bonzo Daniel and his uncle Norman Daniel were allegedly "firebombed" in Bishopbriggs.
He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court charged with two attempted murders and a fire-raising in Glasgow last month.
Police say they have arrested 41 people in connection with a series of linked incidents across the country.
Sources say trouble flared between the rival factions after hoods linked to caged mobster Mark Richardson were accused of ripping off Ross McGill, known as Mr Big, over a stash of cocaine worth £500,000.
Cops have committed to coming down hard on those involved in the violence in an investigation known as Operation Portaledge, with dawn raids on multiple properties.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell earlier this week said the investigation is a priority for forensics teams.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry also said: 'I want to reiterate that violence will not be tolerated and we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice.
'We continue to work tirelessly and are following a number of positive lines of inquiry.
'The support of our communities is absolutely vital when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. I want to again thank the public for their continued help and information so far.
'If you know anything about these dangerous and abhorrent acts, please do the right thing and speak to us.'
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