Six men have been handed a combined 99 years in prison for a series of violent gangland attacks across Edinburgh that left one victim with his hand “hanging off” and saw prison officers’ cars torched in a sinister campaign of intimidation.
Michael Heeps, 34, received the longest sentence of 23 years, whilst John Murray, 25, was jailed for 17 years, Lee Ridgway, 32, got 22 years, Dale Bauld, 33, was sentenced to 17 years, Damien Mullen, 26, received 14 years and Ryan McGovern, 33, was jailed for eight years at the High Court in Glasgow.
Judge Lord Mulholland condemned the men for “out of control gangsterism” following their conviction last month for offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice during a violent campaign between late 2022 and early 2023.
Brutal Machete Attacks Leave Victims Maimed
The gang’s reign of terror began in December 2022 with a vicious attack in Bilston, Midlothian, where their first victim’s car was ambushed and destroyed with bladed weapons. The terrified man told a 999 operator that the attackers had tried to “chop him up” during the assault.
The violence escalated dramatically on 5 January 2023, when a man was targeted near his home in Edinburgh’s Pilton district by a machete-wielding assailant. The victim attempted to defend himself after his attacker pulled up in a car and began striking him with the weapon, but suffered catastrophic injuries.
“His hand was almost completely severed in the attack,” the court heard. The victim was rushed to hospital where he underwent 12 hours of emergency surgery to save his hand. In his own words, he believed he was “dying on the doorstep” during the brutal assault.
Another victim was subjected to a terrifying high-speed car chase between Edinburgh and Dalkeith, during which he was forced off the road, causing his vehicle to smash into a wall. The man suffered a “large gaping wound” to his arm after being struck with machetes by his pursuers.
Despite multiple operations, he remains scarred for life and continues to suffer physical effects from the attack. The court heard that these targeted assaults demonstrated a complete disregard for human life and left lasting trauma on all victims.
Prison Officers Targeted in Sinister Firebombing
In one of the most brazen acts of the campaign, six cars belonging to staff at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian were set ablaze late at night on 7 January 2023. The attack represented a chilling escalation, targeting the very people responsible for maintaining order within Scotland’s prison system.
Lord Mulholland described this as “a sinister crime against the very people tasked with executing the orders of the court,” highlighting how the gang had deliberately targeted prison officers to send a message of intimidation.
The firebombing at Addiewell was not an isolated incident. Research has revealed a pattern of similar attacks on prison staff vehicles across Scotland in recent years, with eight deliberate vehicle fires recorded over five years, including incidents at HMP Barlinnie, HMP Shotts, and HMP Low Moss.
Conservative MSP Russell Findlay, who investigated the pattern of attacks, stated that such “cowardly” acts are “almost certainly ordered by organised crime groups to intimidate staff.” He called for better protection for prison officers who deal with “society’s most dangerous people.”
Victim Left in Coma After Ferniehill Ambush
The gang’s final known attack occurred later in January 2023, when masked assailants ambushed another victim in the Ferniehill area of Edinburgh. The severity of this assault was such that the man’s injuries left him in intensive care and in a coma, fighting for his life.
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger, who led the investigation, described the violence as “completely unacceptable,” noting that whilst these were targeted attacks, “those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.”
The detective emphasised that “these incidents could have had much more serious consequences” and made clear that “this behaviour will not be tolerated” in Scotland’s communities.
International Manhunt Leads to Capture
The gang’s downfall came through what Lord Mulholland praised as “good old-fashioned detective work” combined with modern investigative techniques. CCTV footage and forensic evidence proved crucial in linking the men to the various attacks.
In a bizarre twist that demonstrated the gang’s carelessness, investigators discovered handwritten directions to a target’s home left in a getaway car – evidence that directly implicated them in the conspiracy.
The gang also attempted to intimidate potential witnesses, leaving a note branding one woman “a grass” in an effort to silence testimony against them.
Ryan McGovern attempted to flee justice, embarking on an international escape that saw him pass through Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute to Dublin, then onwards to the Netherlands before travelling to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. However, international cooperation between law enforcement agencies eventually led to his capture and extradition back to Scotland.
Judge Condemns “Out of Control Gangsterism”
During sentencing, Lord Mulholland did not mince words in his condemnation of the gang’s actions. “You have been convicted, to varying degrees, of a number of serious charges which can only be described as out of control gangsterism,” he told the defendants.
“This was attacking a number of people with machetes to the extent that one nearly had his hand chopped off. Another was driven off the road and received amongst his injuries a deep hack wound to his arm. One ended up in a coma, and a fourth was lucky to escape unharmed.”
The judge particularly highlighted the attack on prison officers’ vehicles, stating: “You also travelled to HMP Addiewell, where you set fire to six prison officers’ cars – a sinister crime against the very people tasked with executing the orders of the court.”
Extensive Criminal Histories Revealed
Following the verdicts, advocate depute Keenan revealed that all six men had lengthy criminal histories, suggesting this violent campaign was the latest chapter in established criminal careers. The charges had initially included an aggravation of connection to serious organised crime, though this was removed by prosecutors at the conclusion of evidence.
Michael Heeps was convicted of eight charges including three attempted murders and involvement in the Addiewell firebombing. His 23-year sentence reflects his central role in orchestrating much of the violence.
Lee Ridgway was found guilty of involvement in three attempted murders among eight charges, receiving 22 years. John Murray and Dale Bauld, who participated in two murder attempts each, received 17 years respectively.
Damien Mullen, involved in one attempted murder and the prison car attacks, was jailed for 14 years, whilst Ryan McGovern, though cleared of attempted murder, was convicted of involvement in the Addiewell blazes and received eight years.
Complex Investigation Brings Gang to Justice
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger praised the investigation team’s efforts, stating: “Each of these incidents formed part of a long and incredibly complex investigation. Detectives, working alongside specialist officers from across the country, were meticulous in going through every detail and ultimately bringing these six men to justice.”
The seven-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow heard extensive evidence about the gang’s activities, with the investigation described as one of the most complex undertaken by Police Scotland in recent years.
Grainger emphasised that whilst these were targeted attacks, the wider community impact was significant: “These incidents could have had much more serious consequences, and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Lasting Impact on Victims and Communities
The physical and psychological toll on victims extends far beyond the immediate injuries. One victim who nearly lost his hand faces a lifetime of reduced mobility and function. Another, left with permanent scarring and ongoing physical limitations, can no longer pursue activities he once enjoyed.
The man who ended up in a coma faces an uncertain recovery path, whilst all victims must live with the psychological trauma of being hunted and attacked with such extreme violence.
The attacks also had a chilling effect on the wider community, with residents in affected areas living in fear of becoming collateral damage in the gang’s violent campaign. The brazen nature of the attacks – carried out in residential areas and even targeting law enforcement personnel – sent shockwaves through Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.
Wider Context of Prison Staff Attacks
The Addiewell firebombing fits into a disturbing pattern of attacks on Scottish prison staff. A 2016 incident at the same prison saw four masked men in a stolen Range Rover damage or set fire to five parked cars before fleeing.
These attacks represent more than property damage – they are calculated acts of intimidation designed to undermine the justice system itself. Prison officers, already working in challenging and dangerous environments, face additional stress knowing they could be targeted outside their workplace.
The Scottish Government has acknowledged the seriousness of such attacks, with a spokesman stating: “Assaults on prison staff, or damage to staff or prison property, are completely unacceptable. SPS take these incidents incredibly seriously and report them to Police Scotland for further investigation.”
Conclusion
The lengthy sentences handed down reflect the severity of the gang’s crimes and send a clear message that such violence will not be tolerated in Scottish communities. Lord Mulholland’s description of “out of control gangsterism” captures the essence of a campaign that terrorised innocent people and attempted to intimidate those who serve the justice system.
As these six men begin their substantial prison terms, their victims continue to rebuild their lives, bearing physical and psychological scars that serve as lasting reminders of the gang’s brutal campaign. The successful prosecution demonstrates that even sophisticated criminal operations, complete with international escape attempts and witness intimidation, cannot escape justice when faced with determined police work and a committed justice system.
For the communities affected by this violence, the sentences bring a measure of closure, though the impact of the gang’s reign of terror will be felt for years to come. The case stands as a stark warning to others who might consider similar paths – that Scotland will not tolerate those who seek to turn its streets into battlegrounds.
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