Motorbike gang member planted pipe bomb under rival's dad's van prompting evacation

A tattooed motorcycle gang member planted a pipe bomb under a rival’s father’s van amid an ongoing feud.

Daniel Laponder, 43, targeted his victim’s work van outside his home in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, on June 8, 2024.

The man’s son is a member of the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club – stated to be the oldest “outlaw” biker club in Europe.

Groundworker Laponder is an ex-member of the Blue Angels who subsequently formed his own Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club after he left.

The High Court in Glasgow was told that the two rival clubs are “engaged in a feud” with each other.

A hearing was told that the victim parked his BT Openreach Vauxhall Vivaro van near his home on June 7, 2024.

Late the following night, an off-duty firefighter was told of a vehicle which was ablaze on Benvue Road.

Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy KC said: “He attended to assess the situation and saw the vehicle on fire.

“He observed a device made up from bottles, wires and an apparent electrical component with a battery compartment.”

Fire crews attended and found a device lying underneath the front of the van.

It was stated that this consisted of two plastic bottles and copper pipe taped together, attached to an RF receiver with an antenna.

A major incident was later declared which resulted in an emergency evacuation procedure as well a 100 metre cordon until the device was made safe.

Due to the nature and severity of the incident, teams from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, the Scottish Ambulance Service and a Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended.

Miss Glancy said: “At 5.45am, confirmation was received that the device was a viable pipe bomb which had been detonated

“There were traces of accelerant located at the front offside wheel and an area underneath the engine.”

Police inquiries led officers to the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club Facebook account, which featured Laponder and another man with a Range Rover.

The same Range Rover was caught on video doorbell footage as the vehicle driven by the perpetrators.

The pair even posted themselves on Facebook on the day of the attack with the caption: “Hooked up with this reprobate today, interesting stuff.”

Laponder and the other man purchased duct tape and a bottle of water, which were identical to those used in the making of the bomb.

Laponder’s DNA and fingerprints were also recovered from the bottles and tape.

A forensic investigation of the device found that it was composed of petrol and ball bearings and had a remote activation attached to it.

Police traced Laponder on July 3, and he informed them that a shotgun was in his barge, where he resides in Kirkintilloch.

The weapon was recovered and found to be a loaded side-by-side, double barrel, break-action shotgun designed to discharge 12-bore shotgun cartridges.

The gun had been shortened by removing a section of the barrels and stock.

Other items recovered included wires and connectors, similar to items recovered from the bomb incident.

When quizzed by officers, Laponder stated: “I’m not a Blue Angel anymore, I retired a year ago.”

When asked about the bomb, Laponder replied: “Link the dots. We’ve been getting attacked all the time.

“What is a remote detonator? It goes off with a remote, perhaps it was a shot across the bow.”

A garage linked to the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club was raided, and two remote firing systems similar to the one used in the bomb attack were recovered.

Laponder pled guilty to wilful fire-raising and possession of the shotgun without the authority of the Secretary of State or Scottish Ministers.

John Scullion KC, defending, told the court: “Motorcycles belonging to friends of Mr Laponder were set on fire.

“A group of motorcyclists attended Mr Laponder’s home address and threatened him with violence.

“Events described today were in response to what he said when interviewed by the police following his arrest.

“The vehicle was chosen due to its distance from properties, and the device allowed Mr Laponder to be present to be sure that there was no one in the vicinity when it ignited.”

It was revealed that Laponder’s previous convictions are all for road traffic matters which included a drink driving matter in 2022 where he was fined £2,000 and disqualified for 20 months.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports by Judge Lord Arthurson until next month and dad-of-one Laponder was remanded in custody meantime.

The judge said: “These are very grave offences involving serious weapons and at the end of this process you will receive a significant custodial sentence.”