BLAIR LOGAN SHOWED “WICKED RECKLESSNESS” Community praised for helping to catch a killer
Crime Reporter A TOP Glasgow detective has said the community of Milngavie has helped snare a killer who murdered his own brother and attempted to murder his brother’s girlfriend in a New Year’s Day house fire.
Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team’s Detective Superintendent Allan Burton said information from members of the public was vital to help them catch Blair Logan, who admitted his horrific crimes yesterday.
The evil 27-year-old poured petrol on his younger brother Cameron, 23, and the bed he was sharing with Rebecca Williams as they slept at their family home in Milngavie in the early hours of January 1 this year.
Ms Williams was rescued from the fire and treated in hospital, while Logan’s parents were treated for smoke inhalation.
As reported in home delivery editions last night, he pleaded guilty to a charge of murder and attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
He had been arrested two weeks after the fire amid a major Police Scotland investigation.
The family dog, Gomez, was also killed in the fire.
DS Allan Burton said: “This was undoubtedly a very distressful crime which took place right in the heart of Milngavie and the support of the local community, as well as the information provided by members of the public who were in the surrounding area that morning, were absolutely vital in helping us trace the person responsible.” Logan was said to have had a “hostile relationship” with his brother and searches of his computer found he had researched burn injuries.
He was also charged with endangering the lives of his parents, David and Catherine, in the fire.
Both parents were in the court room, along with Ms Williams, as the guilty plea was made in front of judge Lady Scott.
After his arrest, Logan told police: “I didn’t want to kill him.”
Advocate Depute Alex Prentice said the accused admitted pouring petrol “with the intention of maiming or crippling” his brother.
The attack was said to be in retaliation for a recent incident at the house when his brother had punched him.
Logan told detectives he took the petrol from a church garage a month and a half before the fire and stored it in his bedroom.
Defence lawyer Shelagh McCall QC said Logan showed “wicked recklessness” but did not intend to kill his brother.
He was said to have “felt physically sick at the whole thing”.
Logan has been subject to two psychiatric reports which concluded there was not sufficient enough evidence for a plea of diminished responsibility.
His defence lawyer Ms McCall also said there were “unusual traits” in Logan’s personality and that he had a lack of understanding of the impact of his actions on other people.
Lady Scott asked for a social work report.
Logan will appear again for sentencing on August 11 at the High Court in Livingston.