Gang war 'footsoldier' used metal detector to find pistol hidden near cycle path

A footsoldier in the recent Glasgow and Edinburgh gang wars is facing “substantial” jail time for using a metal detector to find a hidden Glock pistol.

Liam McDermid, 25, used the device to try to secure the firearm, which had been hidden in undergrowth at Edinburgh’s Roseburn cycle path.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Wednesday how the weapon – and multiple rounds of lethal 9mm ammunition – was recovered by police close to the nursery and junior buildings of St George’s school on June 11 this year.

McDermid, of Edinburgh, was seen on the path on June 5 with the metal detector looking for the device. He was later arrested.

First prosecution under Operation Portaledge

Roseburn Path, between the footbridge at Roseburn Terrace up to Ravelston Dykes was closed to the public STV News

McDermid, who has 25 previous convictions, became the first gangster to be prosecuted as a consequence of Police Scotland’s Operation Portaledge. The initiative was launched to tackle gangland activity associated with the Daniel, Lyons and Richardson crime gangs.

Describing McDermid’s role in the affair, prosecutor David Dickson KC said: “The police surveillance operation which led to the accused being observed in possession of a metal detector in the area where the firearm was recovered forms part of the wider police operation in relation to recently reported organised crime activity in Edinburgh.

“The locus is a disused railway line which has been converted into a popular cycle path. The path has steep embankments on either side that are covered in dense shrubland and trees.

“The point on the path where the firearm was recovered was near the nursery and junior school buildings of St George’s school.”

The story emerged after McDermid pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime.

The charge states that he agreed “with others meantime to the prosecutor unknown to do something” that he knew “or suspected or ought to have reasonable known” would “enable or further the commission of serious organised crime” by agreeing to go to Roseburn Path.

He admitted using a metal detector and searching within the undergrowth for a Glock “semi-automatic firearm and nine cartridges”.

McDermid also admitted to engaging in “communications with others regarding the whereabouts and recovery of” the Glock.

Suspect seen on police surveillance

On Wednesday, Mr Dickson said that police surveillance officers observed McDermid take a taxi at 3.28pm from an address in Edinburgh to the city’s Roseburn Street. He was seen going into a shop and came out – officers saw him scanning the street, looking up and down.

He then re-entered the shop before coming out and walking towards Wester Coates Terrace, where he was seen to enter the Roseburn cycle path.

Mr Dickson said: “The accused disappeared from view before emerging from bushes with his face covered and holding a metal detector in his right hand.”

At 4.41pm, McDermid was seen around 100 yards from the Ravelston Dykes viaduct in a large area of bushes.

Mr Dickson added: “He was moving about in the bushes. About 10 minutes later, he emerged from the bushes and was observed to be in possession of a black iPhone. He no longer had the metal detector. He was observed speaking on the phone.

“He ran and stopped at a bench approximately 300 metres before the exit to Ravelston Dykes.”

Mr Dickson said officers detained McDermid at 4.54pm on June 5. He was searched and officers found gloves, a balaclava and £320 cash.

Police then shut the path to the public and conducted a search. They found the metal detector, and then on June 11, they found the gun that McDermid had been searching for.

Mr Dickson added: “Whilst the undergrowth was being cleared, a gun was recovered. Further examination resulted in a magazine which was attached to the grip of the firearm being recovered.

“It was removed, and examination of the magazine disclosed it contained ten rounds of 9mm ammunition.

“An officer racked the top slide of the weapon three times, locking the parts to the rear, exposing the breach of the weapon, which showed the weapon was not made ready, and there was no bullet in the chamber.

“The component parts of the firearm were in good working order, and there were no signs of wear and tear.

Meanwhile, police officers examined the phone seized from McDermid.

Mr Dickson added: “He messages saying ‘am gonna go up to fortify for… Gorgie to find that thing for him. ‘

“He received a message which said ‘any luck; to which he replied ‘No even try google find out some sort of knowledge on what to do.”

Searches found on suspect’s browser

Mr Dickson said that on June 5 – the day he was seen with the metal detector – McDermid made searches on his phone’s internet browser.

He added: “The searches were on how to use a metal detector including ‘settings to find metal on metal detector,’, ‘how to use metal detector’ and ‘do you need the headphone for metal detector’.”

Defence advocate Brian McConnachie KC told Lord Arthurson that even though his client had previously offended, he had never previously served a prison sentence.

Mr McConnachie said: “Your lordship will be obliged to obtain a criminal justice social work report into Mr McDermid’s background.

“I refrain from saying anything further until that is available.”

Lord Arthurson remanded McDermid in custody.

He added: “The sentence you will receive will in all likelihood be a substantial custodial one.”

McDermid will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh next month.