Three men have admitted involvement in a series of petrol‑bomb attacks that targeted homes and a business connected to the Daniel crime family across Scotland’s central belt. The admissions — based largely on CCTV and doorbell recordings — come as police continue an intensified probe into gang violence that has unsettled communities from Glasgow to Edinburgh.
Court hearing and charges
Marshall O’Hara, 21, Fraser Stewart, 22, and Aiden McLaughlin, 21, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow where they pleaded guilty to offences of wilful fire‑raising. The trio were remanded in custody; sentencing has been deferred until May while background reports are prepared.
The charges relate to multiple incidents between 7 and 14 April 2025 that prosecutors say were directed at individuals and premises linked to an organised crime group. Allegations of attempted murder were removed from the formal charges before the plea.
How police built the case
Investigators relied heavily on electronic evidence. Doorbell and street‑level CCTV allegedly captured the suspects arriving, pouring accelerant and, in some cases, filming the attacks on mobile phones.
Officers say one clip shows McLaughlin jumping from a roof as flames engulfed the scene and his trainers caught alight. Another sequence reportedly shows O’Hara recording events on his phone while wearing a distinctive puffer jacket.
Operation Portaledge
The arrests were part of Operation Portaledge, the wide‑ranging police response to an outbreak of gang‑related attacks across the central belt. The three were detained between 23 April and 17 May as the inquiry expanded.
| Date | Location | Target | Reported damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early hours, 7 April | Ashgill Road, Milton (Glasgow) | Residential property (linked individuals inside) | Bedroom and front door severely fire‑damaged; petrol detected |
| Same morning | Meadow Court, Stepps (Lanarkshire) | House and driveway vehicle (BMW X5) | House set alight; £70,000 SUV torched |
| Late 7 April – early hours 8 April | Carpet Store Factory Outlet, Bishopbriggs | Commercial premises | Extensive damage; rooftop fire forced suspect to leap as trainers ignited |
| 14 April | Colston Drive, Bishopbriggs | Residential property | Small front‑door blaze extinguished by residents; footage captured |
Details from court
Prosecutors described how the group used jerry cans, rucksacks and lengths of hose to move and pour fuel. On one occasion footage showed a lighter dropped at the scene; on another, two green jerry cans were bought openly at a garage and later filled with petrol.
Court documents state one of the suspects was paid a modest sum — reportedly about £300 — for taking part in the attacks. The Crown says the three acted on the direction of higher‑ranking members of an organised crime group.
- Evidence: doorbell and CCTV footage, petrol containers and eyewitness accounts.
- Plea: O’Hara and Stewart pleaded guilty to four counts of wilful fire‑raising; McLaughlin admitted his role in the Carpet Store blaze.
- Legal status: attempted murder counts dropped; sentencing adjourned to allow reports to be prepared.
Judge’s response and community impact
The presiding judge warned the defendants that the offences were exceptionally serious and said they were fortunate not to be facing murder charges. He described the conduct as organised and intimidating, and indicated lengthy custodial sentences are likely.
Locally, the attacks have heightened concern about public safety and the tactic of using arson to settle disputes. Business owners and residents impacted by the fires remain anxious while investigations and court processes continue.
Police sources say the operation demonstrates a shift in how law enforcement pursues organised violence: rapid trawls of public and private camera networks, combined with traditional forensics, are increasingly decisive in linking suspects to scenes.
What happens next
Sentencing will take place in May once pre‑sentence reports are completed. Meanwhile, Operation Portaledge remains active as detectives examine wider links and potential organisers behind the attacks.
Anyone with information about the incidents has been urged to contact police to assist the ongoing inquiry.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
