Man admits ambushing crime boss associate with machetes in Edinburgh gang war attack

A man has admitted ambushing a crime boss associate with machetes in a gang war attack.

Anthony Brown, 50, struck David McMillan, 54, outside his Edinburgh home on May 22 last year.

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.

Brown pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to assaulting McMillan to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.

Brown was one of a number arrested during the Operation Portaledge probe into violence, which erupted in Edinburgh and Glasgow last year.

Getaway driver for the attack on McMillan – 21-year-old Joshua Stewart – was jailed for three years and eight months.

Stewart, of Bannockburn, was also placed under supervision for one year upon his release earlier this month.

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.

Prosecutor Caroline MacBride told the court that Brown was “one of those individuals.”

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

The Land Rover was clocked driving past, turning around before stopping outside McMillan’s family home.

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

“He exited his home in possession of a machete.

“Mr 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.

Mercy crews arrived at the scene, but McMillan declined an offer of a lift to the hospital due to fears for his family.

Ms MacBride added: “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 MacBride: “Mr 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.

Sentence was deferred until next month pending background reports and Brown was remanded in custody meantime.