A 19-year-old in Edinburgh faces punishment for throwing fireworks at police during Bonfire Night riots in Niddrie.
Dean Gorrie, 19, was part of a large, masked group that attacked officers with explosives during “mass disorder.” Gorrie also threw fireworks at people and smashed a bus window using a brick in the Niddrie area.
Police investigated the disorder extensively and identified Gorrie afterward. He turned himself in to the police seven days after the event.
Gorrie admitted to recklessly using fireworks, endangering the public and officers when he appeared in court. Sheriff Julius Komorowski sentenced him to unpaid work – 50 hours – and six months of supervision.
Cheryl Porter said the teen was in a large group that gathered on Hay Avenue around 5:30 PM on November 5, 2023. All gang members wore black clothes, and Gorrie covered his face with a black balaclava.
CCTV showed Gorrie handling a firework, aiming it at the public, and then throwing a brick at the passing bus. The bus driver had to stop after two loud bangs, and he found that two windows were broken. Fifteen to twenty passengers had been onboard.
The prosecutor said that the gang randomly attacked people using fireworks. When police went to the scene, Gorrie was not involved at first. Later, Gorrie ignited fireworks and threw them toward police lines, as captured by CCTV.
The fireworks exploded near the officers, and he launched two more fireworks at them. Police identified him after the event and found he was involved. Gorrie went to a police station and turned himself in seven days afterward.
Gorrie admitted to recklessly discharging fireworks, endangering the public and police officers on November 5, 2023. This happened on Niddrie Mains Road and Hay Avenue.
Police arrested 27 people, aged 12 to 34, who faced 53 separate charges. This followed the November 2023 disorder. Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal commented on the events, saying the bonfire night acts were unacceptable, especially in East Edinburgh.
Dougal added that the acts do not reflect the community, and a minority carried them out. He thanked communities, colleagues, and partners who assisted the police with their inquiries.