A 39-year-old man has admitted firing a gun at an Edinburgh home in a ‘targeted attack’ earlier this year.

Nicky Robertson plead guilty to possessing and discharging a firearm in Edinburgh at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, December 11.

Police Scotland responded to a report of a firearm having been discharged at a property on Niddrie Marischal Crescent round 3.05am on Thursday, March 20.

Robertson was arrested and charged in connection with the incident over a month later on Thursday, April 24.

The incident has been described by Police Scotland as a “targeted attack” but that it had wider implications for the local community.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: "While this was established as a targeted attack, it was a concerning incident for the local community.

"Through the hard work of the officers involved in Operation Portaledge we were able to recover the firearm involved and ultimately bring the man responsible to justice.

"This conviction highlights Police Scotland's commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy."

The arrest and charges came as part of Operation Portaledge which has been investigating violent incidents in the East and West of the country. Sixty-two people have so far been arrested as part of the operation, with Robertson the third person to have been prosecuted.

Last month 25-year-old Liam McDermid was jailed for six years and nine months after he admitted being part of serious and organised crime. McDermid was caught in a police sting as he searched for a stashed Glock handgun near the Roseburn Path.

Earlier this week, 27-year-old Arran Reid was imprisoned for eight years and four months. He had pleaded guilty to attacking David McMillan, leaving him severely injured and permanently disfigured, at a property on Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh, in May.