A man who was traced by police in Edinburgh just hours after he used a shotgun to shoot through the window of his ex-girlfriend’s house was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison on Friday.
Kevin Gartland fired two shots from outside the property on Gilmerton Dykes Avenue on July 13th  2015 .
No one was injured in the attack and the 24-year-old fled the scene prompting a major investigation involving specialist police resources.
Within 12 hours Gartland was apprehended in the west of Edinburgh by specially trained officers from the Armed Response Unit.
He was later charged with various offences including reckless discharge of a firearm.
Following today’s sentencing Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean of Edinburgh CID said:
“Kevin Gartland is an extremely dangerous individual and it was only by chance that his utterly reckless actions did not kill or cause serious injury to a member of the public.
“Thanks to the swift actions of my team and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, he was quickly traced, taken into custody and evidence was secured resulting in the firearm involved being recovered within one week of the crime.
“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the tremendous police effort that led us to Gartland within a matter of hours and the invaluable assistance afforded to us by the local community.
“Today’s sentence, and the investigation pursuant to it, sends a clear message that anyone involved in the criminal possession and discharge of firearms can be sure that the full spectrum of resources available to Police Scotland will be directed tirelessly against them to ensure they are arrested and brought before the courts.
“I urge anyone who has information about those involved in the criminal use of firearms to please contact us on 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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