An Arbroath teenager who set a fire close to a petrol station forcing it to shut down its pumps has been put on probation for a year and ordered to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work.
Sheriff Charles McClory told Steven James McAdam (16) it was “extremely dangerous and troubling” and he was thankful a disaster did not ensue.
McAdam, of McGregor’s Walk, admitted that on September 5 at a field behind Glenmoy Place he wilfully set fire to straw and the fire took effect thereon and spread.
Depute fiscal Arlene Shaw told Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday, “Around 7pm a call was received by the fire brigade that a fire had been set. This was near to the petrol station and they had to shut down the pumps because of the proximity.”
She added, “The accused was identified and admitted setting the fire.”
Solicitor Billy Rennie said his client’s position was that someone else was trying to light the fire and could not.
“Mr McAdam came along and stupidly did it,” he said.
Mr Rennie said the fire was 400 metres from the petrol station.
The sheriff said, “So far as the fire-raising matter, it is an extremely dangerous and troubling offence and disaster can ensue. Thankfully, nothing like that happened on this occasion.”
McAdam also appeared on shoplifting offences and a breach of bail and was admonished over those.