Thug given 12 years for bar shooting

James Carlin was shot and stabbed in the attack

Dean Scott, 27, was sentenced for blasting Carlin in the leg with a 9mm handgun, then pistol-whipping him during the attack in the busy bar on March 7.

Detectives said the exact motive behind the shooting remained "unclear", but both men were members of rival crime gangs in the Capital and had a "long-running dispute".

Scott was also known to harbour a grudge against Carlin and his associates after being stabbed around a dozen times during a violent assault in the Inch last June.

It has also been suggested Scott believed Carlin owed him money.

Carlin, 24, was ambushed in the Jock's Lodge, which he had turned into his "gang hut" from which to direct a massive cocaine-dealing operation.

Detective Superintendent David Bullen, who was in charge of the inquiry, said: "We know that both the assailants and the victim, were involved in serious and organised crime in Edinburgh. They came together following some form of long-running dispute."

Scott, of Restalrig Road, pleaded guilty to discharging a loaded firearm and shooting Carlin to the danger of his life. He also admitted repeatedly striking his victim on the head with the gun to his permanent disfigurement.

His co-accused, David Coutts, 21, of Quarry Cottages, Newcraighall, admitted stabbing Carlin to his severe injury and breaching bail.

Det Supt Bullen added: "Coutts and Scott walked into a packed bar full of innocent bystanders. We know that the initial shot hit Carlin in the leg, but Scott tried to cock the gun again to fire. He was aiming at Carlin's upper body when the gun jammed. If that shot had discharged, it may have been fatal."

Scott and Coutts were both caught on CCTV from inside the pub, which quickly allowed detectives to identify them.

Scott was given an extended sentence of 12 years by Lord Matthews yesterday, nine years in custody and three years on licence, while Coutts, was given 21 months.

Det Supt Bullen added: "Scott was brazen in the way he carried this attack out. He made no attempt to conceal his identity. He was obviously hoping his actions and reputation would prevent anyone giving evidence."

Carlin was last week jailed for nine years after being brought down by an undercover police operation.

A source said: "Scott has held a grudge since he was stabbed by a friend of Carlin's. He was obviously out of his head at the time."

On the day of the shooting, the court heard that Carlin, who had been drinking in the Jock's Lodge all day, asked another man in a nearby pub if he had seen Coutts, saying that people were going to "hack him".

The man immediately called Coutts to warn him.

Scott later left a phone message for Carlin's partner, saying: "If he wants a square go tell him to come doon... he can bring his mates, he can bring his dad... he can bring the whole lot of them... Every single one of them can die."

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