A Fife man has been jailed for 30 months at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court for what was described as a “quite dreadful” offence.
Appearing on indictment, Gary Walker (21), described as a prisoner at Barlinnie, admitted that on June 20 at Julian Court, Glenrothes, he wilfully set fire to a car, causing damage to it.
Depute fiscal Ellie Oakley said car owner had parked it in her driveway the night before, but was wakened by a neighbour at 4am who had seen it was on fire after hearing noises.
Firefighters found the car well alight and their opinion was the fire had been started deliberately in the rear passenger seat.
Witnesses later spoke of being woken by Walker who was extremely agitated, had been drinking and smelled of petrol.
“He said he had ‘done the car,’ he had petrol-bombed it and that he had run back and forward to another person’s house because the car did not go up the first time,” said Ms Oakley.
Later that day, another person had found a vodka bottle with a rag in the top. Analysis revealed it had contained petrol and had Walker’s fingerprints on it.
Defending, Ian McCafferty said Walker had gone out with the car owner’s sister at one time, but he had ended it about three years ago and there was “righteous indignation” on her part.
The break-up led to ill-feeling on her part, including name-calling of Walker’s co-habitee.
Things came to a head fairly soon before the fire-raising when a car was driven at the accused’s partner, who had a young child with her, forcing her to jump onto the pavement.
Mr McCafferty said, “This was reported to the police, but there were no proceedings because of lack of corroboration.”
He said this explained Walker’s actions and things came to a head after he had been drinking at a party.
Jailing Walker for 30 months, Sheriff James Williamson told him, “This was a quite dreadful offence whatever the reason for it, it was pre-planned.
“Some effort was made on your part to go back and forward to make sure the car was on fire.
“It must have caused considerable alarm and afterwards you bragged about it.”