November 28th 2024.
The Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club, led by Daniel Laponder, found themselves caught in a heated feud with the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club. This tension came to a head when Laponder, a tattooed biker, planted a pipe bomb under a van belonging to the father of a member of the Blue Angels. The incident, described as "bizarre" by the court, resulted in Laponder being sentenced to jail.
According to reports, Laponder targeted David Rollo's work vehicle, which was parked outside his home in Lennoxtown. David Rollo Jr., also known as David, is a member of the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club, which is said to be the oldest outlaw biker club in Europe. Laponder was once part of this same group, but eventually broke away to form his own club, the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club. The two groups have been engaged in a feud, as stated in the Glasgow High Court.
During the investigation, Laponder was found to be in possession of a shotgun, which he kept on his barge in Kirkintilloch. He pleaded guilty to charges of wilful fire-raising and possession of the shotgun without proper authorization. Judge Lord Arthurson noted the unusual circumstances surrounding the incident, attributing them to the ongoing feud between the two motorcycle clubs. He also stated that a significant prison sentence was inevitable.
The court heard that on the night of the attack, Mr. Rollo Sr. parked his van near his home. Later that night, an off-duty firefighter was alerted to a vehicle on fire on Benvue Road. Upon arriving at the scene, the firefighter found a device consisting of bottles, wires, and an electrical component with a battery compartment. Fire crews soon arrived and discovered the device under the front of the van. It was made up of two plastic bottles, copper pipe, and an RF receiver with an antenna.
The severity of the situation led to a major incident being declared, resulting in an emergency evacuation and a 100-meter cordon until the device was made safe. The investigation led police to the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club's Facebook page, where Laponder and another man were seen posing with a Range Rover. This same vehicle was caught on video doorbell footage as the one driven by the perpetrators.
Further evidence against Laponder was found when he and the other man purchased duct tape and a bottle of water, identical to those used in the bomb. Laponder's DNA and fingerprints were also found on the bottles and tape. A forensic investigation of the device revealed that it contained petrol and ball bearings, with a remote activation attached. When questioned by officers, Laponder claimed he had retired from the Blue Angels a year ago and that the bomb may have been a "shot across the bow" in response to ongoing attacks by the rival gang.
The Blue Angels Motorcycle Club, formed in Glasgow in 1963, is the oldest outlaw biker club in Europe and one of the biggest and most powerful in the UK. The club's colors consist of a winged skull wearing a Stahlhelm, with a top "rocker" bearing the club's name and a bottom "rocker" displaying the member's country of origin. Prospective members must be nominated by two full members and complete a period as a "prospect" before being voted in by others. The club is said to have chapters in Scotland, northern England, Belgium, and Spain.
During the investigation, police raided a garage linked to the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club and recovered two remote firing systems similar to the one used in the bomb attack. In court, Laponder's defense attorney, John Scullion, stated that there had been targeted attacks by the rival gang in the months leading up to the incident. He also noted that Laponder took full responsibility for his actions and expressed genuine remorse for the impact his actions had on his family and the wider community.
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