Crime22 June, 20262 min read
Lewis Hawkes Charged With Five Terror-Linked Attempted Murders After Edinburgh Attacks
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Lewis Hawkes, 36, of Edinburgh, charged with five counts of terrorism-linked attempted murder. He also faces assault, robbery, breach of the peace, and culpable and reckless conduct charges.
Edinburgh attacks, charges
A 36-year-old man from Edinburgh, Lewis Hawkes, was charged with five counts of attempted murder “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection” after attacks in the city on Friday. The Crown Office said Hawkes was also charged with one count of assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct, all aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection.
Police Scotland said five people were injured across Edinburgh on Friday, with two men taken to hospital after being stabbed “multiple times” following prayers at Broomhouse Mosque. Hawkes appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, made no plea, and was remanded in custody ahead of a further court appearance within eight days.
Swinney and Starmer react
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said he had spoken to injured people and that they were “deeply traumatised by the attack,” describing the incident as a “wake-up call” to Scotland over intolerance. Keir Starmer posted on X that the suspect “appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred,” adding “I will not tolerate this -- he will face the full force of the law.”
Police Scotland said officers had spoken to more than 90 multi-faith organisations across Edinburgh after the incidents, and Supt Neil Wilson said it was important that communities feel “supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation.” The BBC reported the attacks began near Broomhouse Mosque at about 20:30 on Friday, with two 22-year-old men stabbed multiple times at Sighthill Park and taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Locations, timeline, ongoing probe
The BBC set out a timeline across multiple Edinburgh locations, saying a taxi was vandalised at a Shell garage on Telford Road at 21:15, and CCTV showed shelves overturned at a shop on Ferry Road at 21:28. Police Scotland said none of the injuries were life-threatening, and the investigation was led by counter-terror officers, with Supt Neil Wilson saying Scottish counter-terrorism officers were continuing to assess the evidence.
The Guardian reported that police arrested a white Scottish man on Leith Walk at about 9.30pm on Friday after reports of incidents at least six locations involving someone wielding bladed weapons. The BBC added that the bare-chested man struck a pizzeria door several times before electronic shutters came down, and then attacked a delivery driver on an e-bike, with police arriving shortly afterwards.