Woman, 72, and boy, 12, in hospital after home invasion ‘linked to ongoing gang feud’

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A 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy were seriously assaulted by masked assailants during a home invasion believed to be linked to an ongoing gang feud that has spread from Edinburgh to Glasgow.

Police Scotland said the victims suffered “significant injuries” after two males forced their way into a property in Milton’s Egilsay Crescent, Glasgow, at about 12.10am on Saturday.

The force said the woman and schoolboy were taken to hospital for treatment, with “extensive enquiries” under way to track down the suspected teenage suspects.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry said: “To attack an elderly lady and a child is simply cowardly – no one should be made to feel unsafe in their own home.”

A dark-coloured large family-style SUV-type vehicle was seen in the area around the time of the assault, with witnesses or those with relevant dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage urged to come forward.

Officers are additionally investigating wilful fires at two properties in East Dunbartonshire.

Emergency crews were alerted to the blazes in Bishopbriggs’ Colston Drive and John Marshall Drive at around 12.50am on Monday.

There were no reports of any injuries.

These latest incidents are believed to be targeted and “potentially linked” to a feud between crime gangs that initially began with properties firebombed and shots fired in Edinburgh streets.

Other recent wilful fireraising incidents being investigated include:

• A property in Cortmalaw Gardens, Glasgow, on 3 April;
• Premises in Milton Road, Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, on 4 April;
• Properties in Gala Street and Ashgill Road, Glasgow, on 7 April;
• A property in Meadow Court, Stepps, North Lanarkshire, on 7 April;
• Premises in Wellington Road, Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, on 8 April.

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Officers are continuing to carry out door-to-door enquiries, with CCTV trawls and extra patrols ongoing.

DCS Ferry said: “We are aware that videos of some of these fires have been posted online. The publicising and glamorising these despicable and dangerous acts is abhorrent.

“I would appeal for anyone who knows who is responsible to come forward, even anonymously and bring this behaviour to an end.

“We are using every resource at our disposal to trace those responsible for this despicable act as quickly as possible.”

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A number of arrests have been made in connection with the major police investigation following raids in Edinburgh over the past few weeks.

Items relevant to the case, including weapons, were seized alongside drugs and cash.

Suspect Marcus Laidley-Sobers, 28, was arrested and charged in connection with alleged threatening or abusive behaviour following an incident on 20 March.

Nicky Robertson, 38, was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged reset of a stolen motor vehicle.

Logan Carlin, 23, was arrested and charged in connection with two wilful fireraisings in Edinburgh – one in Albert Street on 6 March and another in Milton Road East on 16 March.

He was additionally accused of the reset of a stolen vehicle and a breach of bail conditions.

The three Edinburgh men made no plea to their charges when they separately appeared before the city’s sheriff court earlier this month.

Laidley-Sobers and Robertson were granted bail, while Carlin was remanded in custody pending further court appearances.

DCS Ferry stated: “We understand these incidents will be concerning for the local community but please be assured we will bring those involved to justice.”