By Nick Forbes
A convicted murderer who plotted a gun attack on a prison guard has been given a sentence of more than 10 years.
Robert Paterson, 45, planned the attack in an act of 鈥渞evenge鈥, believing the officer at HMP Edinburgh had put his life at risk with a delay in sending him to hospital after he swallowed seven bags of cocaine.
The plot was foiled when police eavesdropped on conversations Paterson was having about the plan through 鈥渃overt鈥 surveillance equipment they had installed in his cell in early 2023.
At a sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, judge Lord Harrower explained the origins of Paterson鈥檚 鈥渁nimus鈥 towards the officer.
The judge said that shortly before 2am on November 15, 2022, the officer heard Paterson 鈥渟cream he was having a heart attack鈥 from inside his cell, and 鈥渄emanded鈥 he be taken to hospital.
He said the officer had seen Paterson swallowing a sim card he had just removed from a mobile phone, and staff at the prison were surprised to see an ambulance arrive when none of them had ordered it.
Paterson鈥檚 鈥渧ital signs鈥 were deemed healthy so he was kept in prison under observation for a few hours, before being taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh shortly before 8am.
Lord Harrower added the officer had been 鈥渁ware鈥 of an attempt by Paterson to escape when admitted to hospital in 2012, but said there was no indication the episode had been 鈥渁nother attempt鈥 to break out of jail.
Once at hospital Paterson was given a CT scan, and underwent surgery to remove seven plastic bags of cocaine from his stomach.
The judge told Paterson that following his return to prison he began to 鈥渟eek revenge鈥 against the officer, believing he had been the cause of an 鈥渦nnecessary delay鈥 in sending him to hospital.
He set about obtaining a handgun and ammunition, and 鈥渋dentified an individual who was prepared to carry out an assault鈥 in return for 鈥渄rugs or money鈥.
He also discussed procuring a vehicle and driver to be used in the assault.
Thanks to the surveillance equipment police had installed in Paterson鈥檚 cell, police got wind of the plan and 鈥渋ntervened before an assault had been attempted鈥.
Lord Harrower told Paterson: 鈥淚t is clear your proper purpose was conspiring to commit a serious crime.鈥
Paterson鈥檚 advocate Thomas Ross KC earlier told the court his client had reacted after deeming 鈥渢he manner in which the medical emergency was handled increased the risk of a fatal outcome鈥.
On May 2 this year, Paterson pleaded guilty to directing others to carry out an assault, and obtaining for that purpose a handgun, ammunition and a vehicle.
He also admitted directing and arranging the supply of drugs, and to directing others to steal drugs, watches and money.
He is currently serving a life sentence for murder and is not due to become eligible for parole until 2027.
Lord Harrower sentenced Paterson to 10-and-a-half years in prison for his latest offending, with the sentence to begin immediately.
Paterson, who appeared in court dressed in a pale brown fleece, showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down.
He nodded and waved to people in the public gallery as he was led from court.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Scottish Prison Service chief executive Teresa Medhurst said: 鈥淲e welcome the significant custodial sentences passed today at Edinburgh High Court.
鈥淎s Lord Harrower rightly identified, the officer in this case acted 鈥榚ntirely appropriately鈥 and it is completely unacceptable that he, or any other member of SPS staff, be targeted in this way.
鈥淭he safety of our staff is absolutely paramount. We will continue to work closely with partners across the justice sector, to ensure that all necessary action is taken to protect those who play a vital role in keeping Scotland safe.鈥