Tag: Operation Portaledge

Operation Portaledge: Man convicted of machete attack in Edinburgh

A 50-year-old man has been convicted following a violent offence in Edinburgh.

Anthony Brown pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday (Tuesday, 14 April, 2026), to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.

Officers were made aware of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Greenbank around 9.20pm on Thursday, 22 May, 2025.

Brown was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Friday, 4 July, 2025, following the execution of a warrant.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “Another individual has been convicted in relation to this violent incident.

“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.

“Police Scotland remains committed 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.

Operation Portaledge: Three convicted of wilful fire-raising offences

Three men have been convicted of wilful fire-raising offences linked to Operation Portaledge.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, 26 March, 2026, Marshall O’Hara, 21, and Fraser Stewart, 22, pleaded guilty to four wilful fire-raising offences. Aiden McLaughlin (pictured above), 21, pleaded guilty to one wilful fire-raising offence.

All three pleaded guilty in relation to a wilful fire-raising at a premises on Wellington Road in Bishopbriggs on Tuesday, 8 April, 2025.

O’Hara and Stewart were also convicted in relation to wilful fire-raisings at a property on Ashgill Road, Glasgow and a property on Meadow Court, Stepps, on Monday, 7 April, as well as a property on Colston Drive, Bishopbriggs on Monday, 14 April.

They are all due to be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 13 May.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “These were worrying incidents for the local community and now those responsible will face the consequences of their actions.

“We will continue to bring those intent in being involved in serious and organised crime to justice.

“These convictions are further examples of 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.

Joshua Stewart convicted of serious organised crime offence in Edinburgh

A 21-year-old man has been convicted following an attempted murder in Edinburgh. Joshua Stewart pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday (5 March, 2026.)

Officers were made aware of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh around 9.20pm on Thursday, 22 May, 2025.

Stewart was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Monday, 16 June, 2025.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “This was a violent incident and the conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.

“We will continue to bring those involved in serious criminality to justice.

“Police Scotland remains committed 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.

Four men convicted of serious organised crime offences

Four men have been convicted of serious organised crime offences linked to Operation Portaledge.

Kieran Abercrombie, 32, Kenzie Gardner (pictured, top), 19, Tyler Ramage (pictured, above), 19, and Robert Thomson (pictured, below), 18, pleaded guilty to wilful fireraising at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Thursday, 12 February, 2026.

They had been arrested and charged by police on 23 May, 2025, after two vehicles were deliberately set on fire in Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh on Thursday, 8 May 2025.

Abercrombie, Gardner and Thomson, also pleaded guilty in relation to a fire at a premises on Cumbernauld Road in Stepps, which happened on Thursday, 8 May, 2025.

Thomson also pleaded guilty to a firearms offence, while Abercrombie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal activity.

They are all due to be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, 10 March.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “These were concerning incidents for the local community and now those responsible will face the consequences of their actions.

“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.

“These convictions are further examples of 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.

Operation Portaledge: Man convicted of Wilful Fireraising

A 24-year-old man has been convicted of wilful fireraising in Edinburgh.

Logan Carlin pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Tuesday, 23 December, 2025.

The incidents took place on Thursday, 6 March, 2025 and Sunday, 16 March, 2025 in Albert Street and Milton Road East.

Carlin was arrested and charged in connection with wilful fireraising and reset of a stolen vehicle.

He is due to be sentenced at a later date.

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

“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious criminality that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.

“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country and highlights our 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.

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.

Man jailed following violent offence and discharge of firearm in Edinburgh

A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years and four months in prison following a violent offence and discharge of a firearm in Edinburgh.

Arran Reid pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Tuesday, 9 December, 2025 to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to danger of life.

Officers were made aware of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh around 9.20pm on Thursday, 22 May.

Reid was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Monday, 16 June. 

On Friday, 13 June, officers were made aware of a window having been damaged at a property on Walter Scott Avenue. 

Following enquiries, it was established that the damage had been caused by the discharge of a firearm. 

Reid was also charged in connection with this incident on Tuesday, 15 July.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious criminality that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.

“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.

“It also 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.

Operation Portaledge: Main jailed

A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison following the recovery of a firearm in Edinburgh.

Liam McDermid plead guilty to a serious organised crime offence at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 22 October, 2025.

The firearm was recovered from the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh by officers investigating Operation Portaledge on Wednesday, 11 June 2025.

He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Thursday, 20 November.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “Liam McDermid is now facing the consequences of his actions.

“I hope this sentence sends a message to those involved in serious criminality that we remain determined to bring you to justice.

“The recovery of the firearm formed part of a long and incredibly complex investigation, which remains ongoing, and involves a range of specialist officers working closely with our partners.

“This case also highlights Police Scotland’s continued 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.

Operation Portaledge: Total arrest tally is now 62

A further five people have been arrested and charged over recent months in connection with Operation Portaledge, bringing the total number to 62.

Officers executed a warrant at a property on Margaret Thomson Crescent in Leith on Monday, 1 September, 2025. A firearm, as well as a quantity of drugs, were seized.

A 19-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection and appeared on undertaking at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 2 October. A 43-year-old man was also arrested and charged in connection and appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 20 October.

On Thursday, 4 September, a 55-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault which happened on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh’s Greenbank area on Thursday, 22 May. He is due to appear in court at a later date.

Officers arrested and charged two men, aged 40 and 39, on Tuesday, 28 October, in connection with a theft by housebreaking which occurred at a property on Mortonhall Park Place on Tuesday, 18 March.

Both men appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 29 October.

Further arrest in connection with Operation Portaledge

A 38-year-old man has been arrested in connection with Operation Portaledge, bringing the total number of arrests to 55.

Yesterday – Friday, 18 July, 2025 – officers arrested and charged the man in connection with wilful fire-raising and firearms offences. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 21 July.

A 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with damage at a property on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh on Thursday, 12 June, and a wilful fire-raising at a property on Jackson Way in Tranent on Friday, 13 June. He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Another 26-year-old man was also charged in connection with two vehicle fires in Port Seton, which occurred on Sunday, 18 May.

He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.