Gangster jailed for machete attack on businessman

A gangster who repeatedly hit a businessman with a machete on his head and body during an attack in a Scots gangland war has been jailed.

Arran Reid was imprisoned for eight years and four months after pleading guilty to severely injuring and permanently disfiguring David McMillan to the danger of his life on Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh, in May.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, the 27-year-old also admitted firing a revolver recklessly at the window of a house in the city's The Inch on 12 June.

Both offences were said to be connected to serious organised crime.

Judge Lord Scott told Reid: "Having regard to the whole circumstances of the case, only a custodial sentence is appropriate.

"It is necessary to punish you and to seek to deter you and others from behaving in this way and to protect the public from you.

"Extreme acts of planned, targeted and wanton violence like this on the streets of Scotland will simply not be tolerated."

The court heard how Reid and two other masked men had parked an SUV outside Mr McMillan's home armed with machetes at 21:15.

The judge was played CCTV footage of the confrontation, before Reid and his accomplices struck the victim.

Prosecutor David Dickson KC told the court how Mr McMillan had a security guard in a car outside his house.

"The security guard sounded his horn, which alerted the complainer, who exited his home in possession of a machete or similar weapon," he said.

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

Mr McMillan was treated for cuts to his head and body and a fractured skull.

Mr Dickson told the court Reid had previous convictions for violence.

At the time of the attacks, he was on licence after he was released from another prison sentence at HMP Glenochil in February 2025.

The court heard how Mr McMillan declined to provide a statement to police about what happened.

Defence advocate John Scullion KC said his client was sorry for his actions.

He added: "The offences were committed by the accused during a chaotic time in the accused's life which was dominated by his use of alcohol and drugs.

"He fully accepts responsibility for his actions and expresses regret."

Passing sentence, Judge Lord Scott made reference to Reid's decision to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.

The judge said this meant he was able to apply a discount and if Reid had not pleaded guilty, he would have received a 12-and-a-half year jail term.

"The courts will continue to make it clear that offences connected to serious organised crime will be met with significant sentences," he said.

Police Scotland has arrested 62 people under their Operation Portaledge probe into the gang war in the west and east of Scotland.

Reid is the second person to be prosecuted under the probe.

Last month Liam McDermid, 25, was jailed for six years and nine months for using a metal detector to try and find a Glock pistol which had been hidden close to a primary school in Edinburgh.

Det Ch Supt Dave Ferry, of Police Scotland, said: "I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious criminality that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice."