Teens deny fire attack on old hotel

Two teenagers have denied torching a derelict Perth city centre hotel owned by Stagecoach tycoon Ann Gloag more than a year ago.

The multi-millionaire businesswoman recently got the go-ahead to demolish the C-listed Waverley Hotel, in the city’s York Place, and replace it with a £3.5million multi-use gym and hall.

Ms Gloag is listed among more than 15 prosecution witnesses in the case against 18-year-old Liam Gall, previously of Ochil Cottage, Perth, and 19-year-old James McCrory, of Greyfriars Hostel, Princes Street, also Perth.

They maintained their not guilty pleas when they appeared on indictment at Perth Sheriff Court this week.

Local lawyers Cheryl McKnight, for Gall, and Rosie Scott, for McCrory, wanted their trial set for next month, to be delayed to allow more preparations and investigations to take place.

But Sheriff Lindsay Foulis refused their motion“at this stage.”

A further pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for January 9.

It is alleged that on November 17, 2015, at the hotel, the pair wilfully set fire to pieces of paper, furniture and other flammable materials within a second floor room there.

The charge indicates that the“fire took effect” and the structure and contents of the building were damaged.

An alternative charge alleges that they culpably and recklessly set fire to the same items, destroying the hotel and its contents.

Mr Gall, now of Ancrum Road, Dundee, has lodged a special defence, claiming that the crime, if committed, wasn’t carried out by him but by persons unknown.

Eight fire appliances tackled the blaze which broke out shortly before 10pm on October 23.