GoogleA convicted assassin has been jailed for 10-and-a-half years after ordering a revenge gun assault on a jail officer.
Robert Paterson, 45, was serving life in HMP Edinburgh when he claimed to be having a coronary heart assault after swallowing luggage of cocaine.
The officer suspected an escape try and delayed him from going to hospital in November 2022, which Paterson believed put his life in danger.
On the Excessive Court docket in Edinburgh, Paterson admitted ordering accomplices to obtain a handgun and ammo, earlier than the plot was foiled by police.
Passing sentence, Lord Harrower advised him the jail officer had acted “fully appropriately”.
He mentioned: “There was nothing in his behaviour that required to be avenged.”
The courtroom heard that after Paterson claimed he was having a coronary heart assault, an ambulance arrived on the jail that had not been ordered by jail employees.
The officer was suspicious of the inmate as he had deliberate a earlier escape try in 2012 that concerned being taken to hospital.
He additionally noticed Paterson take away a sim card from a cell phone and swallow it.
He agreed with paramedics to watch Paterson within the jail earlier than he was despatched to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary hours later.
Getty PhotosProsecutor Alan Cameron KC mentioned that Paterson later complained that medics had advised him there was a danger of the cocaine luggage bursting in his abdomen.
Mr Cameron mentioned: “He was extraordinarily sad in regards to the delay. He claimed that he had been advised at hospital that he was fortunate to be alive.
“He determined that he would search revenge upon the officer by having him significantly assaulted.”
Jail officers had been involved about Paterson’s behaviour and in February 2023 a hidden surveillance system was put in in his cell.
Paterson was recorded discussing a plan to assault the jail officer.
Mr Cameron added: “Luckily, the police intervened and no try and was truly made to assault the officer who was fully unaware.”
Particulars of the plot emerged earlier this yr after Paterson individually pleaded responsible to ordering two males – Sean McGregor and Donald Stone – and different unnamed accomplices to produce medication into the jail.
He ordered them to rob individuals of medicine, watches and a sum of cash.
Cumbernauld capturing
Lord Harrower additionally handed sentence on these two males.
Stone pleaded responsible to being concerned in severe organised crime. He was jailed for 5 years and three months.
McGregor admitted arranging to hold out an assault and theft and was jailed for one yr and three months.
He was additionally ordered to finish an additional yr and two months of unserved time from a earlier sentence as a result of he dedicated the crime whereas out on licence.
Paterson had been imprisoned for homicide at HMP Edinburgh for capturing a person in Cumbernauld in 2008.
In 2012 he was given one other three years after a foiled escape try
Paterson deliberate to flee from custody throughout a go to from Shotts Jail to Wishaw Hospital.
However police had been tipped off and caught him utilizing undercover surveillance.
Teresa Medhurst, chief government of the Scottish Jail Service, welcomed the prolonged sentences
She mentioned: “As Lord Harrower rightly recognized the officer on this case acted ‘fully appropriately’ and it’s utterly unacceptable that he, or every other member of SPS employees, be focused on this manner.
“The protection of our employees is totally paramount. We are going to proceed to work intently with companions throughout the justice sector, to make sure that all vital motion is taken to guard those that play a significant function in conserving Scotland protected.”
