A teenager who was part of a masked mob who attacked police and members of the public on Bonfire Night in Edinburgh has been jailed.
Jamie Hogg was first caught launching fireworks, bricks and poles at officers, public service busses and into the entrance of a block of flats narrowly missing civilians on October 31, 2024.
Hogg, 19, also aimed pyrotechnics at constables who were positioned behind a police cordon as they battled to contain the 20 strong gang who were causing havoc in the Moredun area of the capital.
The teen then took part in a second night of violence when he and co-accused Kevin Lankiewicz formed part of a gang that attacked a local supermarket and erected a bonfire in the middle of a road.
The masked thugs also blocked the road off by dragging fencing from a nearby building site.
The pair were seen throwing bricks, rocks and explosives at shop windows, members of the public and police officers on November 5, 2024.
22-year-old Lankiewicz, who has since moved to Glasgow, also culpably and recklessly threw rocks and pyrotechnics at police officers at the city’s Craigour Green.
Hogg, from Whitson, Edinburgh, and Lankiewicz were later identified following a large scale police investigation into the nights of mass disorder that struck the city.
They both admitted the offences on indictment when appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month and returned to the dock for sentencing yesterday. (TUES)
Sheriff Kenneth Campbell KC told Hogg he had been “present and active throughout two prolonged episodes of public disorder” and had been identified as “one of a group of about 20 youths involved in mobbing and rioting”.
The sheriff said: “It is only down to good fortune that your actions did not result in more severe consequences for innocent members of the public.
“At Moredun House, Marytree House, Little France House, and Castleview House a total of 45 windows were smashed with an estimated repair cost of £50,000.
“In the course of the evening the group of which you were part set off fireworks indiscriminately as well as throwing rocks at windows.
“At one point a pyrotechnic was set off in the foyer of a block of flats, something which could have had a very serious outcome.”
The sheriff added: “On the evening of 5 November 2024, you were identified as a member of group of around 20 youths in dark clothing and with face coverings gathering in Moredunvale Road.
“You and others present set off fireworks horizontally – something which is extremely dangerous in an area surrounded by buildings and people.”
Hogg was jailed for 18 months for his involvement in the two nights of rioting.
The sheriff told Lankiewicz it had only been “good fortune that your actions did not result in more severe consequences for innocent members of the public”.
Lankiewicz was sentenced to a 12 month restriction of liberty order where he will have to wear an electronic tag and stay within his home between 7pm and 5am.
Faith Currie, Procurator Fiscal for Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders, said: “This was reckless and dangerous behaviour that placed police officers at significant risk of serious harm and endangered nearby homes and families.
“Police officers should be able to carry out their duties without facing violence, intimidation or abuse.
“The sustained violence and verbal aggression directed at officers during this incident was entirely unacceptable.
“Such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. Those responsible can expect to be held accountable through the criminal justice system.
“We will continue to prosecute robustly where there is sufficient evidence and where it is in the public interest to do so.”
