Man Admits Machete Assault Amid Gang Feud
A man has admitted to attacking a businessman with a machete after ambushing him outside his home during a significant gang conflict.
Anthony Brown repeatedly struck David McMillan in Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh, in May of last year.
McMillan, who has connections to drug dealer Mark Richardson, survived the attack after a security guard he had hired to monitor his property intervened to protect him.
Brown, aged 50, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to assaulting McMillan, 54, causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and putting his life in danger.
In December, Arran Reid was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to the same charges.
Earlier this month, getaway driver Joshua Stewart received a sentence of three years and eight months after admitting his involvement in the attack.
Additionally, four men were jailed for a series of fire-raising incidents, including one outside McMillan's residence two weeks prior to the machete assault.
Brown was among more than 60 individuals arrested by Police Scotland during Operation Portaledge, which was initiated following a series of assaults, shootings, and firebombings in Edinburgh and Glasgow last year.
Details of the Attack
The High Court in Glasgow was informed that Brown was a passenger in a Land Rover Discovery when the vehicle stopped in Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh, at approximately 21:15 on 22 May last year.
Prosecutor Caroline MacBride explained that McMillan, described in court as a businessman, had employed a security guard to be stationed outside his detached home amid the escalating gang feud.
The Land Rover was observed driving past before turning around and stopping outside McMillan's property.
The security guard sounded his horn which alerted Mr McMillan.
McMillan exited his home carrying a machete.
He proceeded across his front garden onto the road toward the Land Rover.
As he approached, three individuals exited the vehicle, each armed with machetes.
The court heard that the assailants were all wearing balaclavas.
Attack Footage and Aftermath
Footage of the incident was presented in court.
McMillan was struck repeatedly with machetes while on the pavement outside his home.
He shouted: "You are going to kill me."
Initially, McMillan remained standing but eventually collapsed to the ground.
The security guard intervened, attempting to shield him and swung a crowbar at the attackers while shouting:
"Leave him. That is enough."
The assailants then returned to the Land Rover, which sped away from the scene.
McMillan, who initially had a blue jumper draped over his shoulders, used it to cover his face and head.
Paramedics arrived at the location, but McMillan declined transportation to hospital due to concerns for his family's safety.
He indicated that he wanted to stay at home despite his injuries.
Subsequent Police and Medical Intervention
Later that night, McMillan was stopped by police while driving a car described as being operated "erratically."
He was then escorted to hospital where he received treatment for fractures and wounds to his skull and left forearm.
MacBride added:
"Mr McMillan declined to provide a statement."
Sentencing for Brown has been deferred until next month pending background reports, and he remains in custody.
