Two jailed for gangland firebombing 'ordered by boss in Dubai'

22 minutes ago

Two men who firebombed a house on the orders of a "boss" based in Dubai as part of a violent gang feud have been jailed.

Richard Ordish, 19, and Kurtis Young, 42, were caught on camera committing the attack which wrecked the semi-detached property in Edinburgh in the early hours of 4 April 2025.

They then arrived at the home of Young's partner smelling of petrol before calling the United Arab Emirates to confirm the "job" had been done.

Both men admitted to a charge of attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow and were given extended sentences for their "despicable conduct".

They were arrested as part of the Operation Portaledge investigation into violence across central Scotland.

Ordish was given a seven-year prison sentence and Young will serve 11 years. Both will be under supervision for four years when released.

Young was given the higher sentence due to him having a "well developed criminal history" and the young persons sentencing guidelines applying to Ordish.

Judge Lord Arthurson described the attack as a "wholly murderous one" with a "very real threat to kill".

He said: "This was a callous, concerted and tragic crime with your faces masked in the context of an escalating organised crime gang war in the hours of darkness in a residential street while your victims slept."

The judge added: "You did all of this for money under instruction.

"It is difficult to express the contempt of the public for this despicable conduct and high tariff sentences are required."

Footage linked to Tamo Junto

The court previously heard the householder, who cannot be named for legal reasons, temporarily moved out when video footage emerged online claiming an earlier incident assumed to be an accidental electric fire was started deliberately.

Before the attack on 4 April, Ordish and Young bought two fuel cans from a garage then got a taxi to pick up the motorbike they rode to the house.

Neighbours became aware of noises in the street at about 01:00.

Prosecutor Michael Macintosh said: "Ordish was on the bike while Young set the fire by throwing an ignited item through a ground floor window.

"There was a bright flash of light as the fire ignited. The two men made off on the motorbike."

The court heard Ordish had seemingly filmed the attack.

Macintosh said: "This was later posted on the internet as part of a compilation of similar videos all linked the Tamo Junto account which had been associated with promoting and celebrating the spate of fire-raisings and criminality related to Operation Portaledge."

When they arrived at Young's partner's house, Ordish was described as looking "shocked and shaken".

Macintosh told the court Young said they had "petrol bombed a house for a job".

"He then placed a phone call to someone in Dubai, who he referred to as his 'boss'," he said.

"The person on the other end asked if he had done the job and Young said 'yes'."

Young collected cash the next day which he claimed was payment for the what he had done.

'Pressure' and drug habit

Five fire engines were mobilised but the fire spread to both floors and the roof, which partially collapsed.

Rebuilding the property could cost £300,000 and there was a further £60,000 repair bill for the neighbouring semi-detached house.

Ordish and Young were arrested weeks apart in April and May 2025.

Their phones were examined, revealing incriminating messages including texts to Young's mother saying he was worried he would be caught.

Jonny Campbell, defending Ordish, said that he had a "significant degree of pressure applied on him" and was offered a "large financial incentive" to become involved.

Ewen Roy, defending Young, told the court his client got involved to pay back a drug debt following a marital breakdown and his plumbing business being affected by the pandemic.

The lawyer added: "He was made aware the target house was supposed to be unoccupied but he has properly reflected that this was a semi-detached and there were dangerous consequences for harm to the neighbours as well as the wider community.

"He accepts his actions amounted to wicked recklessness and is fully aware of the gravity of the offence."