A tattooed motorcycle gang member who planted a pipe bomb under a rival’s father’s van amid an ongoing feud has been jailed for nine years. Daniel Laponder, 43, targeted David Rollo senior’s work van outside his home in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, on June 8 2024.
Mr Rollo’s son is a member of the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club – stated to be the oldest “outlaw” biker club in Europe. Ground worker Laponder is an ex-member of the Blue Angels who subsequently formed his own Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club after he left.
The High Court in Glasgow was told that the two rival clubs are “engaged in a feud” with each other. Laponder was later snared with a shotgun which he kept on his barge where he resided in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire.
Laponder pled guilty in September to wilful fire raising and possession of the shotgun without the authority of the Secretary of State or Scottish Ministers. Judge Lord Arthurson told Laponder at Tuesday’s sentencing that the background to the offences were “somewhat bizarre stemming from a feud between the Blue Angels and Mad Dogs after you left the Blue Angels.”
The judge added: “A very substantial custodial disposal is inevitable in this case.”
The earlier hearing was told Mr Rollo senior parked his BT Openreach Vauxhall Vivaro van near his home on June 7 2024. Late the following night, an off duty fire fighter was told of a vehicle which was ablaze on Benvue Road.
Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy KC said: “He attended to assess the situation and saw the vehicle on fire. He observed a device made up from bottles, wires and an apparent electrical component with a battery compartment.”
Fire crews attended and found a device lying underneath the front of the van. It was stated that this consisted of two plastic bottles and copper pipe taped together, attached to an RF receiver with and an antenna.
A major incident was later declared which resulted in an emergency evacuation procedure as well a 100 metre cordon until the device was made safe. Due to the nature and severity of the incident, teams from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, the Scottish Ambulance service and a Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended.
Miss Glancy said: “At 5.45am, confirmation was received that the device was a viable pipe bomb which had been detonated “There were traces of accelerant located at the front offside wheel and an area underneath the engine.”
Police inquiries led officers to the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club Facebook account which featured Laponder and another man with a Range Rover. The same Range Rover was caught on video doorbell footage as the vehicle driven by the perpetrators.
The pair even posted themselves on Facebook on the day of the attack with the caption “Hooked up with this reprobate today, interesting stuff.” Laponder and the other man purchased duct tape and a bottle of water which were identical to those used in the making of the bomb.
Laponder’s DNA and fingerprints were also recovered from the bottles and tape. A forensic investigation on the device found that it comprised of petrol and ball bearings with a remote activation attached to it.
Police traced Laponder on July 3 and he informed them that there was a shotgun in his Kirkintilloch barge. The weapon was recovered and found to be a loaded side-by-side, double barrel, break action shotgun designed to discharge 12 bore shotgun cartridges.
The gun had been shortened by removing a section of the barrels and stock. Other items recovered included wires and connectors similar to items recovered from the bomb incident.
When quizzed by officers, Laponder stated: “I’m not a Blue Angel anymore, I retired a year ago.”
Laponder was asked about the bomb and replied: “Link the dots, we’ve been getting attacked all the time. What is a remote detonator? It goes off with a remote, perhaps it was a shot across the bow.”
A garage linked to the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club was raided and two remote firing systems similar to the one used in the bomb attack were recovered. John Scullion KC, defending, told the sentencing that there had been targeted attacks by the rival gang in the months leading up the the events.
The advocate added: “He said it was his intention to end the feud by retaliating to those involved in the previous incidents. He accepts full responsibility for his actions and hes bitterly regrets his involvement in the offences.
“He expresses remorse which appears genuine and has insight on the impact the offences have had on his family as well as the wider community.”
It was revealed that Laponder’s previous convictions include one for violence in England as well as road traffic matters which included a drink driving matter in 2022 where he was fined £2,000 and disqualified for 20 months.
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