Seven years for his part in blaze

An Airdrie lorry driver who helped torch his estranged wife’s home after they split has been jailed for seven years.

Alan McGuiness broke up with Lyn O’Neil in April 2018 because he accepted another woman’s friend request on Facebook.

The fuming 39- year- old drove to the mum-of-two’s flat in Airdrie weeks later.

A youngster then started a fire as McGuiness’ ex-wife slept; when frantic Ms O’Neil and her daughters woke up, she immediately tried to put out the blaze herself.

The family and other residents of the block luckily escaped any injury and Ms O’Neil pinned the blame on her ex.

But McGuiness initially told police: “I cannot believe that you are believing her.”

He returned to the High Court in Glasgow last week having pled guilty a charge of wilful fire-raising to the danger of others.

His lawyer said the first offender had been a “decent, hard working man” before the crime.

But Lady Rae told McGuiness: “This was obviously a planned and premeditated act.

“It was the child who entered the premises with flammable material and lit it outside the door with no means of escape.

“You endangered their lives and all of the people in the block.

“I do not think looking at you that you are taking this seriously. I see no decency in what you did that night.”

The couple married in February 2017, but split the following April.

Prosecutor Chris McKenna told how an angry McGuiness contacted his ex-wife in May 2018 – hours before the fire.

Mr McKenna added: “He thought it petty their marriage was ending due to him accepting a friend request from a female via Facebook. The texts continued between him and his ex-wife; they became heated.”

Describing events on the day of the offence, Mr McKenna added: “McGuiness remained in the car while the other person entered the close using a key provided by him. The person then set fire to the door of the flat using an unknown accelerant.

“Both McGuiness and the individual then drove away.”

The blaze was found to have started on the doorstep of Ms O’Neil’s flat.

A witness later told police she had clocked a car matching McGuiness’ white BMW at the scene.

Mr McKenna added: “The victim named him as she believed he was responsible due to the exchange of messages the previous evening.”

McGuiness later admitted having “heated conversations” with his ex but denied being involved before confessing he had been driving the car.

Tony Lenehan, defending, said there had been “strong emotions” after the split.

The advocate added: “He cannot make sense of what he did.”

Lady Rae said the jail-term would have been eight years but for McGuiness’ guilty plea.

Torched The flat in Airdrie