Notorious drugs baron Mark Richardson has been given a jail switch after “taking over” a Scots prison along with a fellow heavy.
The 32-year-old was sent down for eight years and nine months last January for having a Glock handgun and was behind bars in Edinburgh’s Saughton Prison.
Now, prison bosses have transferred Richardson to Glenochil jail, near Alloa, in the wake of concerns about his activities.
Richardson and his henchman David Togher, 34, were believed to be “running” Saughton, a situation understood to have prompted the move.
It was after Richardson was moved that his associate Dale Thomas was ambushed in his cell at the jail and subjected to a horror attack.
Armed robber Thomas, 28, suffered several stab wounds to his neck and had his ear cut off on December 10.
Sources said Thomas fell foul of a gang inside the prison and was “punished” over a disagreement.
A prison source said: “Richardson and Togher were in control at Saughton and they go back a long way together.
“They had taken over the place. Nothing much could happen without their say so.
“By separating them, the authorities obviously hoped they can dilute their power base.
“Dale Thomas was pals with Richardson and might have expected protection under normal circumstances.”
The Scottish Prison Service said: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.”
