Teen involved in Bonfire Night riots to be detained for 16 months

A teenager who was part of a masked gang that attacked police during a Bonfire Night riot in Edinburgh has been detained in a young offenders' institution.

Finlay Burns launched rockets and missiles at officers and smashed up an unmarked police car during a night of violence in the capital on 5 November 2024.

The 19-year-old handed out fireworks to younger members of the gang and incited them to attack officers in the Gracemount area of the city.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Gillian Sharp sentenced Burns to be detained for 16 months and 24 days.

Burns, from Edinburgh, was caught on CCTV taking part in the violent disturbance and was later arrested after being identified due to his distinctive clothing.

He pleaded guilty to charges of mobbing and rioting and culpable and reckless conduct to the danger of life last month.

The offences were prosecuted under Section 44 of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 and aggravated by use of a firework in relation to an emergency worker.

The incident was one of many outbreaks of violence in Edinburgh that night and forced Police Scotland to deploy riot officers and a helicopter as part of Operation Crackle.

The fire service also came under attack and Lothian Buses had to withdraw services after public transport vehicles were pelted with fireworks and bricks.

Fiscal depute Emma Laing previously played the court footage of the mass disorder showing Burns along with a masked group of around 50 youths launching fireworks, rocks and bottles at police.

A separate clip showed the mob moving up Gracemount Road and attacking and vandalising an unmarked police vehicle parked at the side of the road.

Burns was identified as a member of the group who jumped on, kicked and smashed all the windows of the vehicle.

A third piece of footage featured three police vans coming under attack by the gang who threw fireworks at the vehicles as they travelled along Captain's Road.

In mitigation, the defence said it was important to distinguish the widespread trouble from the individual actions carried out by one person. They said no-one was directly injured by Burns' actions.

The court also heard that he had no previous convictions, had not been in trouble while on bail, and was currently working as a joiner.

Faith Currie, procurator fiscal for Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders, said: "Finlay Burns' reckless and dangerous behaviour put police officers at risk of serious harm and threatened homes and families during a large-scale public disturbance.

"He not only took part in this disorder but openly incited younger members of the gang to attack officers who were in attendance.

"The level of lawless conduct directed towards them during this incident was wholly unacceptable. However, Burns has now been held accountable for his actions.

"I hope that this prosecution, and today's sentence, reassure the public that those who engage in this type of criminal behaviour will be met with the full force of the law.

"We will continue to prosecute where there is a sufficiency of evidence and it is in the public interest to do so."