Islay crofter obstructed fire service, court hears

A crofter on Islay stopped the island’s firefighters from tackling a fire on his land, the New Year sitting of Campbeltown Sheriff Court heard.

Innes Bell said the fire was under control; he was burning old window frames on land at Glenegedale Lotts, Port Ellen.

In court, he admitted that he obstructed or hindered a member of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responding to emergency circumstances of a fire well alight and did prevent him from accessing the point of the fire.

Procurator fiscal depute Ewan Nichol said that police became aware of the fire on September 14 last year.

“The fire service was called and firefighters tried to enter and deal with the fire, but were blocked,” the fiscal said.

“The accused was extremely argumentative and obstructive, and denied them access.”

Several attempts were made and the firefighters had to contact the police, added the fiscal.

Defence agent Stephen MacSporran said: “Mr Bell said the fire was under control and was annoyed by their attending. The fire was under control.”

Mr MacSporran said this was a first offence, adding: “This appears completely out of character.”

The agent then produced character references from Bell’s employers.

“He is deeply regretful of something that perhaps he should have dealt with far more sensibly,” said Mr MacSporran.

Sheriff Euan Cameron told Bell, aged 45, that having looked at the letters submitted on his behalf, he appeared to be decent and hardworking with no previous convictions, and fined him £300 with a victim surcharge of £20.