Stv News: Teen who launched missiles at police in Bonfire Night riot jailed
stv news coverage has focused on the sentencing of Finlay Burns, a 19-year-old who was part of a masked gang that attacked police officers during a large-scale Bonfire Night disturbance in Edinburgh. The case matters because court footage and formal admissions set out a pattern of coordinated attacks on emergency services that led to a custodial sentence.
Stv News: sentence and charges
Finlay Burns pleaded guilty to charges of mobbing and rioting and culpable and reckless conduct to the danger of life. One account records that Sheriff Gillian Sharp sentenced Burns at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to be detained for 16 months and 24 days; another account records the sentence as 16 months. The offences were prosecuted under Section 44 of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 and were aggravated by the use of a firework in relation to an emergency worker.
What happened on Bonfire Night in Edinburgh
On November 5, 2024 a masked group of around 50 youths engaged in violent public disorder in areas including Gilmerton, Gracemount and Niddrie. The group launched fireworks, rocks and bottles at police officers and vehicles, and emergency services were forced into a citywide response. Police deployed riot officers and a helicopter under an operation named Operation Crackle. The fire service also came under attack and local bus services were withdrawn after public transport vehicles were pelted with fireworks and bricks.
Court evidence, identification and arrest
Fiscal depute Emma Laing played several pieces of footage in court showing the mass disorder. CCTV captured Burns taking part in the disturbance and he was later identified because of distinctive clothing. Burns was arrested four weeks after the riot, on December 2, 2024.
Admissions of conduct and specific actions
Burns admitted to forming part of a mob that advanced towards emergency services in a threatening manner while masked. He handed out explosives to younger members of the group and incited them to attack officers. The admitted actions included throwing fireworks and projectiles such as rocks and bottles at police officers and vehicles; distributing fireworks to younger persons and directing them to throw fireworks; pulling wipers off vehicles; smashing windows; kicking, shaking and smashing the windscreen of an unmarked police vehicle; brandishing fireworks; and firing lit fireworks at police vehicles occupied by officers, causing fireworks to strike those vehicles, all to the danger of life.
Damage to police vehicles and public order response
Footage shown in court captured the group surrounding and attacking an unmarked police vehicle, with Burns identified as one who jumped on, kicked and smashed all the windows. Additional clips showed three police vans coming under attack and being struck by fireworks as they travelled along Captain's Road. Riot police were seen lined up behind plastic shields across Captain's Road while a police helicopter circled overhead during the disorder.
Defence mitigation and court context
In mitigation, the defence urged a distinction be drawn between the widespread trouble that night and the individual actions of one person. The defence submitted that no-one was directly injured by Burns' actions. The sentencing followed Burns' guilty pleas on indictment at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after the material shown in court and his recorded admissions.
Recent updates indicate the case concluded with a custodial placement in a young offenders' institution. Details in some accounts differ on the exact length of detention; those figures are recorded above. Further procedural steps and any appeal activity are unclear in the provided context.
