Man accused of torching holiday home and locking families inside

A MAN has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder after allegedly setting fire to a holiday cottage and locking sleeping families inside.

Kieran Ridley, 31, is expected to appear at the High Court at a later date over the alleged murder bids on October 27 at Mallaig Mhor, near Mallaig, Inverness-shire.

Firefighters had to enlist the help of coastguards to drive them to the scene in a 4x4 vehicle along a halfmile-long hill track.

Eleven adults and children – including a one-year-old baby – escaped injury, although a woman was treated for smoke inhalation.

Ridley, of Worcester, appeared in private at Fort William Sheriff Court last week.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.