Fife man who sparked police stand-off sentenced

A Burntisland man who barricaded himself in a flat with petrol-covered sofas, sparking a police stand-off has avoided being jailed.

Stuart Alexander Graham was ordered to perform 210 hours of unpaid work when he appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court for sentencing yesterday.

The 27-year-old was also placed under 12 months supervision and ordered to engage with addiction services.

Graham, formerly of Somerville Street, was warned he faced being jailed if he breached the order after previously admitting the March 30 incident.

Emergency services raced to the scene on Rossend Terrace after concerned neighbours became aware of a disturbance within a top floor flat.

Graham was smashing windows and throwing household items at the property before spraying himself with a liquid which he had claimed was petrol.

He threatened to set himself alight before hurling abuse at police officers and members of the public who had gathered at the scene behind a cordon.

Specialist police resources were also scrambled to the scene, including negotiators and public order officers, during the incident, which lasted several hours.

Sheriff James Williamson warned: “If you breach the order, you could be sent to prison.”