Pair firebombed house under orders of Dubai-based 'boss' during gang war

Two men carried out a gangland firebombing of a house on the orders of a Dubai-based “boss”, a court heard.

Richard Ordish, 19, and Kurtis Young, 42, were caught on camera committing the attack, which wrecked the semi-detached property in Edinburgh, on April 4 last year.

The pair then turned up at the home of Young’s partner, smelling of petrol, before he apparently phoned the United Arab Emirates to confirm the “job” had been done.

But, Ordish and Young were soon caught as suspects were swept up during the Operation Portaledge probe into violence which erupted across Central Scotland last year.

The duo are now behind bars after they each admitted to an attempted murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow.

A small fire had initially been reported at the property a week before the attack.

It was initially thought to be an accidental electrical blaze, but video footage emerged online that the fire was instead deliberate.

This led to the householder – who cannot be named for legal reasons – temporarily moving out.

Ordish and Young then prepared themselves for the murder bid by buying two fuel cans from a garage.

They then got a taxi to pick up a motorbike before travelling to the house.

Around 1am, residents became aware of noises in the street.

Prosecutor Michael Macintosh then explained: “Both Ordish and Young were present with faces masked.

“Ordish was on the bike while Young set the fire by throwing an ignited item through a ground-floor window.

“There was a bright flash of light as the fire ignited. The two men made off on the motorbike.”

The court heard Ordish had seemingly filmed the attack.

Mr Macintosh said: “This was later posted on the internet as part of a compilation of similar videos all linked to the Tamo Junto account, which had been associated with promoting and celebrating the spate of fire-raisings and criminality related to Operation Portaledge.”

A total of five fire engines arrived to put out the large blaze, which had spread to both floors and the roof, which ended up partially collapsed.

Drone footage shown in court captured the extensive damage to the house.

The court heard the property may have to be rebuilt at a cost of up to £300,000.

There was a further £60,000 repair bill after the neighbouring semi was also affected.

The men went to a house linked to Young’s partner where Ordish was described as looking “shocked and shaken”.

Mr Macintosh said: “Young’s partner asked what had happened. He replied that they had ‘petrol bombed a house for a job’.

“He then placed a phone call to someone in Dubai, who he referred to as his ‘boss’.

“The person on the other end asked if he had done the job, and Young said ‘yes’.”

Young collected cash the next day, which he claimed was payment for what he had done.

Ordish and Young were arrested weeks apart in April and May 2025.

Young’s phone was examined, and there were texts to his mum, worried that he would be caught.

Mr Macintosh said: “He makes reference to his involvement in organised crime, referring to himself as being ‘wanted as the leader of the Edinburgh gang as I am the one that is in contact with the guys in Dubai and Brazil’.

“He also refers to receiving payment for his work from people abroad.”

Ordish’s phone revealed the pair had been in contact. A contact saved as “X” had told Ordish to get in touch with Young the night before the fire.

Ordish also messaged another associate: “Of course, bro. Anytime when paper (slang for money) involved.”

Forensic evidence was also incriminating – a glove left near the scene next to a beer bottle with traces of petrol had Young’s DNA on it.

Lord Arthurson deferred sentencing for reports until next month.

The judge called the crime an “extremely grave offence”.