Gang batters man after businessman shot at gym

Robert Kelbie was shot in the back in the car park of Bannatyne's Health Club at Newcraighall at around 7pm on Wednesday.

Detectives believe the 27-year-old ex-boxer, who regularly works out at the gym with friends, was deliberately targeted by a hitman.

Mr Kelbie managed to drive himself to the ERI, but discharged himself just hours later, having being treated by doctors for the gunshot wound.

His shooting was followed yesterday morning by an attack on a man at a yard in Portobello. A man was later taken to the ERI where he is being guarded by armed police.

A gang of around five men was seen by residents hanging around the yard when the man, who police have not named, was set upon. Sources say the gang had been looking for those behind the attempted hit on Mr Kelbie.

A police spokesman last night confirmed a man was placed under guard in hospital in connection with the shooting at the gym, part of the chain owned by businessman Duncan Bannatyne, star of BBC reality show Dragon's Den.

Detectives are working to establish a motive behind the shooting of Mr Kelbie, who told police he did not see the hitman.

A police source confirmed Mr Kelbie had a "long list of enemies" as the inquiry team, based at the Craigmillar station, try to establish suspects. Officers would not comment yesterday on underworld rumours which suggested that Mr Kelbie was shot following an assault on a relative of recently-jailed Edinburgh drug dealer Mark Richardson.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Thomas, who is leading the investigation, said Mr Kelbie was shot moments after parking his car outside the gym.

He added: "He was walking to the gym when he felt some pain in his back and fell to the ground. He made it into the reception where he realised he had been injured.

"There is nothing to suggest it was a random attack. Determining the motive is an important part of our inquiry.

"At the time there were around 60 or 70 people using the gym and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward."

Sources say doctors were unable to remove the bullet from Mr Kelbie's back but DCI Thomas said it was "too early" to say whether ballistic tests could be carried out.

Mr Kelbie, who dated former Miss Scotland, Lois Weatherup, 27, is listed as a director of city building firm Edin Developments. He is awaiting trial on charges of fraud.

His older brother, Mark Kelbie, from Niddrie, was jailed for 13 years for beating 37-year-old youth worker, John Rush, with a baseball bat in February 2005. Mr Rush, who never regained consciousness, died four years later in hospital.

Officers arriving at the gym in the wake of the shooting shut off the car park and left many of the vehicles belonging to its patrons sealed off overnight. It is understood officers will seek to trace the owners to determine whether they can help the inquiry.

Forensic officers swept the area around the gym yesterday while uniformed officers carried out a fingertip search, aided by a police sniffer dog.

Officers are also examining CCTV footage from the area to see if the shooting was caught on film.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0131 311 3131 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

• A 27-year-old man was arrested in connection with an assault carried out yesterday. He was due to appear from custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.