Getaway driver admits role in machete attack during Edinburgh gang war
A young thug has admitted to his part in a brutal machete attack on an associate of a crime boss during a large-scale gang war.
Joshua Stewart was the getaway driver for a crew who targeted David McMillan outside his plush Edinburgh home last May.
McMillan - who has links to underworld figure Mark Richardson - survived the hit with a security guard he had hired to keep watch at his house stepping in to try and save him.
Stewart is now behind bars after he pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to being involved in the attack
The 21 year-old, of Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, will be sentenced next month.
Stewart was the latest to be hauled into the dock after a series of arrests during the Operation Portaledge probe into violence which erupted in Edinburgh and Glasgow last year.
Prosecutor Samantha Brown on Thursday told how Stewart ferried a number of accomplices in a Land Rover Discovery to the home of McMillan in the upmarket Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh around 9.15pm last May 22.
All of those in the 4x4 were wearing balaclavas.
McMillan - described in court as a 54 year-old businessman - had hired a security guard to be parked outside his detached property amid the escalating feud.
The Land Rover was clocked driving past, turning around before stopping outside McMillan's family home.
Miss Brown: "The security guard sounded his horn which alerted McMillan.
"He exited his home in possession of a machete.
"McMillan walked over his front garden onto the road towards the Land Rover.
"As he did, three individuals exited the vehicle in possession of machetes.
"Stewart remained inside the Land Rover."
Horror footage of what then unfolded was shown at the hearing today/yesterday.
McMillan was repeatedly struck with the deadly weapons while on the pavement outside.
He shouted: "You are going to kill me."
McMillan initially stayed on his feet, but ended up slumping to the ground as the blows rained in.
The security guard jumped in to try and protect McMillan, swing a crowbar at the thugs while yelling at them: "Leave him, that is enough."
The assailants jumped back into the Land Rover and the vehicle raced off.
McMillan - who initially had a blue jumper over his shoulders - used the garment to cover his face and head.
Mercy crews arrived at the scene. McMillan declined an offer of a drive to hospital due to fears for his family.
Miss Brown: "He indicated that he wanted to stay at home despite his injuries."
But, later that night, he was stopped by police in a car described as being driven "erratically".
This time he was escorted to hospital - among his string of injuries were found to be fractures and wounds to his skull and left forearm.
Miss Brown: "McMillan declined to provide a statement."
Stewart - who has a previous conviction for violence - today/yesterday admitted teaming up with unknown others to assault McMillan to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.
The offence is said to have been linked to serious organised crime.
He had been on bail, but judge Lady Drummond told Stewart: "You have now been convicted of a very serious offence.
"Your status has now changed and you will be remanded in custody."
Sentencing was deferred for reports until next month in Dundee.