Edinburgh Gangster Sentenced to Seven Years for Arson Attacks in Gang Feud
A gangster labelled a "useful idiot" by his own defence lawyer has been jailed for seven years and four months after setting fire to a beauty salon in Edinburgh, sparking fears of a gang war and putting nearby residents in "mortal danger". Logan Carlin, 24, admitted two charges of wilful fire raising in a spree that targeted properties linked to organised crime groups.
Salon Attack Could Have Led to Fatal Consequences
Carlin's rampage began on March 6 last year when he targeted the Belle Cheveux beauty salon on Albert Street in Edinburgh. The salon is part-owned by Mark Richardson, 38, a convicted drug dealer currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. Carlin threw bottles of accelerant into the salon, intending to intimidate a rival gang, before moving on to set fire to a garage on Milton Road East.
Lord Summers, presiding over the case at the High Court in Edinburgh, emphasised the gravity of the salon attack. "Had that fire taken hold, the residents of the property above would have been in mortal danger," he stated, noting that residential flats were located in the same building. The court heard that three fire engines and nine fire officers attended the scene, evacuating neighbouring properties and extinguishing the blaze within five minutes.
Witnesses Describe Chaotic Nighttime Assault
Prosecutor Leanne McQuillan detailed eyewitness accounts from the early morning attack. One neighbour reported hearing male voices outside the shop shortly after 2am, followed by the sound of shattering glass. She observed a man in a dark hooded tracksuit, estimated to be in his 20s or 30s, smashing the salon window before lighting a bottle with a tissue and throwing it inside.
The witness heard the assailant shout "think you can f**k over my pals" before the screech of a vehicle heading toward Easter Road. She immediately called emergency services. The attack caused significant damage to the property, with both targeted locations having connections to serious organised crime groups.
Defence Lawyer Brands Client a "Useful Idiot"
Carlin's defence lawyer, Andrew Crosbie, presented a mitigation plea describing his client as coming from a "supportive" family who recognised his poor choices. "He seems to have been something of a useful idiot compared to better-connected members of the gang," Crosbie argued, characterising the case as "an archetypical case of someone who has sadly made very poor decisions over a short period of time."
Carlin appeared via video link during the sentencing hearing, with the judge considering both serious organised crime legislation and youth sentencing guidelines, as Carlin was 23 at the time of the offences and remains under 25. The sentence was backdated to April 8, 2025.
Operation Portaledge Investigation Continues
The arrest formed part of Police Scotland's Operation Portaledge, an ongoing investigation into gang activity and violent incidents across eastern and western regions of the country. The case highlights the persistent threat of organised crime violence in urban areas, with property attacks serving as intimidation tactics in gang rivalries.
Lord Summers concluded that the crimes were aggravated by Carlin's links to organised crime, stating clearly that "the purpose of your attack was to intimidate rivals." The seven-year sentence reflects the serious nature of offences that endangered innocent residents while attempting to settle scores between criminal factions.
