Man admits part in machete attack on businessman

A man has admitted to his part in a machete attack on an Edinburgh businessman as part of a gangland feud.

Joshua Stewart, 21, was the getaway driver for a group that targeted David McMillan on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh last May.

McMillan, who is an associate of convicted drug dealer Mark Richardson, was treated for cuts to his head and body and a fractured skull.

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

At the High Court in Glasgow, prosecutor Samantha Brown told how Stewart drove a number of masked accomplices in an SUV to the home of McMillan at 21:15.

She said McMillan had a security guard in a car outside his house.

"The security guard sounded his horn which alerted McMillan," Brown said.

"He exited his home in possession of a machete.

She said McMillan walked over his front garden onto the road towards the vehicle.

Brown added: "As he did, three individuals exited the vehicle in possession of machetes. Stewart remained inside the Land Rover."

Footage shown at the hearing showed the confrontation before McMillan was repeatedly struck with the weapons on the pavement.

The guard helped defend McMillan from some of the blows using a metal crowbar. The businessman was taken to hospital by his partner.

The attackers returned to the vehicle and drove away.

Brown said McMillan declined to provide a statement to police about what happened.

The court heard that Stewart has a previous conviction for violence and had been on bail.

He pleaded guilty to working with unknown others to severely injure and permanently disfigure McMillan to the danger of his life.

Stewart is remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.

Stewart was arrested as part of Operation Portaledge - the police operation set up in response to the gang violence across Scotland's central belt from Glasgow to Edinburgh, which started making headlines in March last year.

More than 60 people have been arrested through the operation.

The gangland feud has led to assaults, shootings and fire bombings across the east and west of Scotland.

Det Ch Supt Dave Ferry ,of the specialist crime division, said: "This was a violent incident and the conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.

"We will continue to bring those involved in serious criminality to justice.

"Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy."