A DRIVE-by shooter fired at a living-room window hours after a compound was torched — in two more attacks tied to an explosive gangland turf war.
Cops were hunting the mystery gunman behind the 7.30am blast at a home of one of caged cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson’s underlings.
Forensics were spotted examining a bullet hole at the scene of today’s shooting in Pilton[/caption]
Cops were also searching for clues at the scene of a blaze at a property[/caption]
The strike came hours after fire crews rushed to a blaze at a property owned by a relative of the besieged crime boss.
And we can reveal a pal of jailed drugs boss Jamie ‘Iceman’ Stevenson has allegedly had a hand in the wave of attacks.
Sources claimed Dubai-based Stephen Jamieson is among underworld figures behind an attempted takeover of Richardson’s empire.
Forensics experts were spotted examining a bullet hole at the scene of today’s shooting in Pilton, Edinburgh.
Detective Inspector Alison MacDonald said: “It is imperative that we trace whoever is responsible for this dangerous act.
“We believe this incident may be linked to groups who are actively targeting each other.”
Cops were also searching for clues at the scene of a 3am blaze at a property in the capital’s Old Dalkeith Road.
The latest trouble came after a masked shooter fired at a home of a friend of Richardson in the city’s Niddrie early on Thursday.
We told how a thug hurled a flaming missile at Richardson’s partner Stephanie Dignan’s Belle Cheveux beauty salon on March 6.
And louts firebombed a motor business believed to be owned by her dad Steven on Sunday.
Another building linked to the businessman was torched in Musselburgh, East Lothian.
Hoods also smashed up a pad belonging to one of Richardson’s loved ones and drove a Range Rover into the home of an associate.
One underworld sources said: “Nothing can be ruled out about who is behind the latest fires and shootings.
“One thing for sure is that this is being organised by someone high up the tree in an opposite gang.
“The latest shooting was a warning to the family of a younger guy who had been working for Richardson. This took place in broad daylight as people were going about their business.
“Armed cops have so far not found any guns.”
‘BIRDMAN’ £10K AID
A GANGLAND murderer who ran a drugs empire from prison and funded a lavish lifestyle for his family has cost taxpayers £10,391 in legal aid.
Robert ‘Birdman’ O’Hara, 47, used it to fund a defence team led by Donald Findlay KC after being charged over his jail cell narcotics racket.
He pleaded guilty to directing others’ involvement in organised crime between 2018 and 2021.
O’Hara got nine years added to his life sentence for a 2004 slaying.
He had paid for his partner and daughter to live in a £650,000 home and had £300,000 of designer gear.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board said: “Legal aid is governed by legislation and pays lawyers to represent people, regardless of reputation, to uphold principles of justice and fairness.”
Richardson, 37, is understood to be in isolation at Low Moss nick after being transferred from Glenochil prison, near Alloa, where he was viewed as top dog.
Sources claimed enemies viewed his jails switch as a chance to move in on his territory.
An insider said: “So far Richardson doesn’t seem to have retaliated but he can’t sit back and let this happen.”
Richardson was caged for nearly nine years in 2018 for having a Glock handgun as part of a crime supergang.
Another 18 months was later tacked on over a high-speed car chase with cops.
Stevenson was caged for 20 years for running a £100million cocaine plot but had four years cut on appeal last month.
