Man admits murdering brother in petrol attack

Court told pair had hostile relationship but accused had not intended to kill

A man has admitted murdering his brother and attempting to murder his brother’s girlfriend by setting fire to them as they slept in bed on New Year’s Day.

Blair Logan poured petrol on his younger brother Cameron, 23 and the bed he was sharing with Rebecca Williams at their family home in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.

Ms Williams, a radio broadcaster originally from Wormit in Fife, was rescued from the fire and treated in hospital, while Logan’s parents were treated for smoke inhalation.

Logan, 27, pleaded guilty to a charge of murder and attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.

He also admitted endangering the lives of his parents David and Catherine in the blaze, in which the family dog Gomez was also killed.

Advocate Depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, said the accused admitted pouring petrol “with the intention of maiming or crippling” his brother.

The court heard that the two brothers had a “hostile” relationship and Logan told police they had not spoken since the death of their grandmother in 2013.

On the night of the fire, Cameron and Rebecca had arranged to stay the night at the family home and his mother Catherine set up an inflatable mattress for them in the living room.

At around 7.15am, Mrs Logan was woken by the family dog whining and went downstairs, where she saw a figure in dark clothing standing inside the living room.

Mr Prentice told the court: “Catherine Logan then heard Cameron roar in surprise, shock and fear, before the accused made a jerking motion with his arm as if throwing something.

“The accused then ran from the living room and went out the front door.

“When Catherine Logan turned towards the living room she saw ‘orange and crackling’ and the room turning black. She also heard Cameron and Rebecca screaming.”

Ms Williams eventually managed to roll on to the floor and crawl out of the room into the kitchen.

She suffered burns to her arms and face and needed a skin graft on one of her hands. She suffered damage to her throat, vocal cords and lungs and may not be able to return to work as a broadcast journalist.

The attack was said to be in retaliation for a recent incident at the house when his brother had punched him.

A computer seized from Logan’s bedroom showed he had carried out internet searches on burns victims.

Defence lawyer Shelagh McCall QC said Logan showed “wicked recklessness” but did not intend to kill his sibling.

Ms McCall said there were “unusual traits” in his personality and that he had a lack of understanding of the impact of his actions on other people.

Lady Scott deferred sentence until August 11 at the High Court in Livingston, pending reports.

Picture: PA. Cameron Logan, 23, with his dog Gomez, who were both killed in a deliberate house fire at their family home in Milngavie.

Blair Logan, left, and parents David and Catherine Logan.