Man Jailed for Role in Gangland Machete Attack
A man who admitted participating in a machete assault on an associate of a crime boss amid a gangland feud has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Anthony Brown, 50, was involved in a group that ambushed David McMillan outside his Edinburgh residence in May 2025.
McMillan, who had connections to underworld figure Mark Richardson, survived the attack after a security guard he had employed to monitor his home intervened to protect him.
Sentencing Details
During sentencing, Judge Lady Drummond described the incident as a
"brutal attack"that was
"planned and violent".
Brown had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting McMillan alongside others, causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and endangering his life.
The judge addressed Brown directly, stating:
"It was a planned and violent offence carried by one crime group on another in a well-established feud between the two of them.
It was a brutal attack having seen it myself on CCTV."
Related Sentences
In December, Arran Reid received a sentence of eight years and four months after pleading guilty to his involvement in the attack.
In April, Joshua Stewart, who acted as the getaway driver, was sentenced to three years and eight months after admitting his participation.
Additionally, four men were sentenced for a series of fire-raising incidents, including one that occurred outside McMillan's home two weeks prior to the machete assault.
Investigation and Arrests
Brown was among over 60 individuals arrested by Police Scotland during Operation Portaledge.
Prosecutor Caroline MacBride informed the court that Brown was one of three men observed at the scene in a Land Rover, all wearing balaclavas.
The vehicle was seen passing McMillan's house, turning around, and then stopping outside his family home.
The prosecutor explained:
"The security guard sounded his horn which alerted McMillan.
He exited his home in possession of a machete."
McMillan walked out of his garden towards the vehicle when three individuals, also armed with machetes, jumped out.
Harrowing footage of the incident was presented during the hearing.
McMillan was struck repeatedly with the weapons while standing on the pavement outside his home.
He shouted,
"You are going to kill me."
Initially, he remained standing but eventually collapsed to the ground as the blows continued.
The security guard intervened, attempting to protect McMillan by swinging a crowbar at the attackers.
The assailants then fled by jumping back into the vehicle and driving away.
McMillan, who initially had a blue jumper draped over his shoulders, used it to cover his face and head.
The prosecutor noted that McMillan initially refused hospital treatment but was later observed driving erratically and was stopped by police.
He was escorted to the hospital, where multiple injuries were identified, including fractures and wounds to his skull and left forearm.
McMillan declined to provide a statement to authorities.
Defence and Background
Marco Guarino, representing Brown, stated that Brown had no connections to those orchestrating the crime and initially believed the incident was related to drugs before the situation escalated.
It was revealed that Brown had a lengthy criminal record, including two previous High Court jail terms.
The defence counsel clarified that any suggestion Brown acted in self-defence was incorrect and that Brown was
"not trying to deflect responsibility."
Judge's Remarks and Sentence
In delivering the sentence, the judge emphasized that Brown played a
"central role"in the assault.
Unlike similar cases, a serious crime prevention order, which is intended to monitor offenders after release, was not imposed in this case.
Brown was sentenced to five years and three months in prison and will be supervised for an additional three years upon release.
