'Hard man' of drugs empire wins appeal over gun conviction

A MEMBER of an Irish gang that set up a drugs empire in a city housing estate has won his appeal against a firearms conviction, despite already completing his sentence for the offence.

Barry Campbell was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in an 18-month campaign of drug dealing and paramilitary-style violence.

The 27-year-old was part of a six-strong gang, originally from Belfast, who portrayed themselves as high-ranking members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) to terrify locals and take over the drug trade.

But, despite being freed last year, Campbell lodged an appeal against a conviction for possession of a rifle in Murrayburn.

Now a judge has ruled that evidence linking Campbell to the weapon used to secure his conviction was not strong enough and has quashed it.

The gang arrived in Edinburgh in 2001, basing themselves in the Calders estate and operating in Sighthill and Wester Hailes. They claimed to have the backing of leaders of the Belfast wing of the UVF, a feared paramilitary organisation, and used intimidation and torture to muscle in on the drugs trade in the west side of the city.

Considered the "hard man" of the gang, Campbell was charged along with the five co-accused of various offences. He was found guilty of abducting victim Stephen Ogilvie on July 11, 2002 in Broomhouse Road and possessing a rifle in the Capital on the same day police found the gun at a home in Murrayburn Place.

Police raided the Murrayburn address to rescue Mr Ogilvie, who was being held there against his will. Campbell allegedly stayed there with his girlfriend and officers found the weapon concealed in a rubbish bag hidden behind a water tank.

Forensic tests revealed that Campbell's fingerprints were on the bag and he was found guilty by a jury in March 2003.

The case was brought to court again after Campbell applied to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, which launched its own investigation. The SCCRC then moved to have the case heard in the Appeal Court in Edinburgh.

Lady Paton has now ruled that there was unsubstantial evidence to link the weapon to Campbell.

The judge added that the weapon and the area around where it was hidden did not show up Campbell's fingerprints and no evidence was presented that he had ever been seen with the gun.

Lady Paton ordered that Campbell, whose present whereabouts are unknown, have the firearms conviction quashed, although the abduction charge still stands.

Gang leader David McLeave, 26, was jailed for 14 years, while Campbell's younger brother Paul, 20, got ten.