Latest news with #RyanMcGovern
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots hoods behind bars following a menacing ganglang reign of terror
Judge Lord Mulholland told them they'd been found guilty of 'out-of-control gangsterism' 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. Advertisement 6 Ryan McGovern was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow Credit: Police Scotland 6 Dale Bauld is tonight behind bars after being nicked by cops Credit: Police Scotland 6 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. Advertisement 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'. Advertisement 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. The INSIDE story of Scotland's biggest gangster - Jamie 'The Iceman' Stevenson 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. Advertisement Kieran Jenkins was targeted in Bilston, Midlothian. In a 999 call, he said the attackers had tried to 'chop him up'. 6 Mark Richardson's associates are being targeted by a Dubai-based hood Credit: Alan Ewing - The Sun Glasgow 6 Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger today at Fettes Police Station, Edinburgh Credit: Alan Simpson Advertisement 6 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. Advertisement 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.' Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement "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. Advertisement "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."
Axios
25-03-2025
- Axios
Georgia man opens castle after he was forced to demolish Airbnb treehouse
It's been nearly a year since Ryan McGovern was ordered by the city of Kennesaw to demolish the Treasure Hunt Treehouse he rented out through Airbnb — and used as a primary source of income for him and his family. Why it matters: Since then, he's shifted his time, money and energy to something bigger and more regal to offer guests looking for a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives. The latest: McGovern earlier this month opened the Castle at Kingston, an Airbnb listing located an hour away from Atlanta in Bartow County, near Barnsley Resort. The property blends medieval décor with modern appliances and amenities (think "Game of Thrones" vibes, but with electricity, plumbing and a modern kitchen). Guests can also take part in a castle-themed treasure hunt. Other features you can expect: a hot tub, sauna, a small room with an actual throne (complete with crowns and robes), a fire pit and rooftop views. What they're saying: McGovern said the castle has been five years in the making. It was also hard to find a builder who could construct a custom castle, so he and his father Randy took on the construction project themselves. His father, a wildlife artist, created several oil paintings that adorn the walls throughout the castle. While operating the treehouse, guests left reviews saying the stay made them feel like they were kids again, so McGovern said he hopes the castle provides that same "whimsical, magical experience." "I wanted to have people fool themselves into thinking maybe they're in a different time period or something." The castle sits on a hill, but from the rooftops, guests will notice they are surrounded by ridges. "We wanted a spot on the hill with a good view, where it's quiet, close access to the interstate, close to restaurants at Barnsley, and this was just perfect," McGovern said. The fine print: Since the county couldn't run sewer lines to the property, McGovern had to drill a well to access water from an aquifer. He also had to install satellite internet service. Flashback: McGovern operated his treehouse in Kennesaw for five years until an anonymous complaint was filed with the city last year, the Cobb County Courier reported at the time. The city told Axios it determined McGovern did not obtain the electrical, plumbing or building permits required to operate an accessory dwelling unit on the property, so he had to demolish the structure. "It was so bizarre and heartbreaking," McGovern said, adding that he had to call and cancel reservations for guests who booked their stays six months in advance. "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do." He was able to obtain the necessary permitting to build the castle. The bottom line: McGovern said he hopes the rare opportunity to spend a few nights in a castle will be enough to attract people to his Airbnb property, particularly anyone looking for a quick romantic getaway. "It's good for kids too," he said. "They really love it because they can pretend like they're a king or a queen for the day." If you go: The two-bedroom, two-bathroom castle can sleep up to nine people (when you factor in the sofa bed and a set of bunkbeds on site). The nightly rate starts around $479 on Airbnb.
