Leith robbery failed when attacker shot accomplice

Two masked armed robbers burst into a flat and threatened a man '“ before one of the raiders shot his accomplice.

The High Court in Edinburgh

Cousins Keith Smith, 30, and 25-year old Peter McMurray, both prisoners in Saughton, yesterday admitted attempting to rob Ekundayo Badamas in Cables Wynd, Leith, on August 26.

Advocate Depute Keith O’Mahony told Lord Beckett that when Mr Badamas was confronted by the men, McMurray was holding a knife.

Smith then took a rifle from a bag and unwittingly shot McMurray in the leg during “an attempted warning shot”.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Smith had seven previous convictions, including one for assault to danger of life. McMurray had six previous convictions, including assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment.

Lord Beckett told the pair: “I consider this very grave criminality.” He deferred sentence until December 7 for a Criminal Social Justice report.