Tag: firearms offences

Man convicted of firearm offences

A 39-year-old man has been convicted of possessing and discharging a firearm in Edinburgh.

Nicky Robertson pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday, 11 December, 2025).

Around 3.05am on Thursday, 20 March, police received a report of a firearm having been discharged at a property on Niddrie Marischal Crescent.

Robertson was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Thursday, 24 April.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “While this was established as a targeted attack, it was a concerning incident for the local community.

“Through the hard work of the officers involved in Operation Portaledge we were able to recover the firearm involved and ultimately bring the man responsible to justice.

“This conviction highlights Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Former Police Scotland officer jailed for firearms offences and neglect of duty

A former Police Scotland constable has today, Monday, 8 December 2025, been sentenced to two years and three months in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Alan Sharp, 52, previously pleaded guilty to three charges relating to firearms and one charge of wilful neglect of his duties as a police constable and firearms enquiry officer, when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on 10 November, 2025.

He had possession of two firearms and live ammunition outside the terms of his own firearms license and admitted failing to carry out the necessary checks and enquiries for applications for firearms licenses.

Sharp resigned from Police Scotland in November 2025.

Assistant Chief Constable for Professionalism and Assurance, Lynn Ratcliff, said: “Alan Sharp’s actions in no way reflect the high standards expected of an officer in Police Scotland.

“He abused his position as a constable, neglected his legal duties, and his actions go against everything we stand for as an organisation.

“It is right that policing is held to high standards at all times, and we will always support officers and staff acting with our values and standards at heart. The onus is on policing to build and maintain public confidence and consent which is critical in our ability to keep our communities and citizens safe.

“As a result, people like Alan Sharp have no place in Police Scotland. Matters are thoroughly investigated when an officer or staff member fails to uphold the high standards we expect in policing.”