Getaway driver admits part in machete attack on crime boss associate David McMillan

A man who admitted being part of a gang war machete attack on a crime boss associate has been jailed for almost four years.

Joshua Stewart was the getaway driver for a gang who targeted David McMillan outside his Edinburgh home last May.

McMillan – who has links to underworld figure Mark Richardson – survived the hit, with a security guard he had hired to keep watch at his house stepping in to try and save him.

Stewart returned to the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, having earlier admitted to being involved in the attack.

The 21-year-old, of Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, was sentenced to three years and eight months.

Lady Drummond also ordered that he be supervised for a year on his eventual release.

Stewart was one of a number who have been hauled into the dock after a series of arrests during the Operation Portaledge probe into violence which erupted in Edinburgh and Glasgow last year.

Prosecutor Samantha Brown last month told how Stewart ferried a number of accomplices in a Land Rover Discovery to the home of McMillan in the upmarket Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh around 9.15pm on May 22.

All of those in the 4×4, other than the driver, were wearing balaclavas.

McMillan – described in court as a 54-year-old businessman – had hired a security guard to be parked outside his detached property amid the escalating feud.

The Land Rover was spotted driving past, turning around and then stopping outside McMillan’s family home.

Ms Brown said: “The security guard sounded his horn, which alerted McMillan.

“He exited his home in possession of a machete.

“McMillan walked over his front garden onto the road towards the Land Rover.

“As he did, three individuals exited the vehicle in possession of machetes.

“Stewart remained inside the Land Rover.”

Footage of what then unfolded was shown at the hearing.

McMillan was repeatedly struck with the deadly weapons while on the pavement outside.

He shouted: “You are going to kill me.”

McMillan initially stayed on his feet, but ended up slumping to the ground as the blows rained in.

The security guard jumped in to try and protect McMillan, swinging a crowbar at the gang while yelling at them: “Leave him, that is enough.”

The assailants jumped back into the Land Rover, and the vehicle raced off.

McMillan – who initially had a blue jumper over his shoulders – used the garment to cover his face and head.

Emergency crews arrived at the scene. McMillan declined an offer of a ride to the hospital due to fears for his family.

Ms Brown said: “He indicated that he wanted to stay at home despite his injuries.”

But, later that night, he was stopped by police in a car described as being driven “erratically”.

This time, he was escorted to the hospital – among his string of injuries were fractures and wounds to his skull and left forearm.

Ms Brown said: “McMillan declined to provide a statement.”

Stewart – who has a previous conviction for violence – admitted teaming up with unknown others to assault McMillan to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

The offence is said to have been linked to serious organised crime.

Lorenzo Alonzi, defending, said: “He has explained that his involvement was due to a drug debt.

“With that background, he was taken advantage of by these people. He was not aware that there was going to be the level of violence that there was.

“The gravity of what happened was not apparent until it was happening. He was in way over his head.”

Lady Drummond cut the sentence from five and a half years due to the guilty plea.

She told Stewart: “This was planned, serious and violent offence carried out by one organised crime group on another in what appears to be a well-established feud between the two.”

The judge added: “You have taken the time to write a letter to the court – I recognise that you have apologised for your actions.

“I can see that you are genuinely remorseful and recognise the harm that you have caused.”