Blantyre fireraiser avoids jail
A Blantyre man who started a fire outside his sister’s home has been put under supervision for 18 months.
Police officers used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze at the side of the house in Springwell Crescent on July 2 last year.
James Ferguson, 43, of Glenfruin Road, admitted charges of threatening or abusive behaviour, malicious damage and wilful fireraising.
Jennifer Mclaren, prosecuting, told Hamilton Sheriff Court that Ferguson phoned his mum and told her he couldn’t pay money he owed her for a family holiday.
He sounded drunk and became aggressive as he believed other family members had not paid either.
Ms Mclaren told the court:“later that evening Ferguson arrived at the house. He was shouting, swearing and challenging people to fight.
“All parties, including a child aged three, were terrified and the police were contacted by Ferguson’s sister five times about the incident.
“The accused approached a black Honda Civic, picked up a deckchair and smashed the back window and wing mirrors.
“He also caused a dent in the car door and kicked his mum’s mobility car before stamping on the wheel of a bicycle.
“Ferguson was also seen trying to set fire to the garden shed using a lighter and a cloth.
“He didn’t manage to do this, but did set fire to skirting boards lined against the side of the house.
“Flames were coming from the skirting boards and a fire extinguisher taken from the police vehicle was used to put them out.”
Defence agent Sandy Morrison said Ferguson had been drinking heavily at the time but had since reconciled with his family.
As well as imposing a supervision order, Sheriff Douglas Brown ordered Ferguson to do 250 hours of unpaid community work as an alternative to prison.