Cumbernauld man jailed after setting fire to flat

Brian Hogg (27) pled guilty to wilful fire raising which took place in Mossgiel Road on April 19 this year.

He had been out on bail at the time.

Sheriff Morag Galbraith at Airdrie Sheriff Court told Hogg that it was “more by luck t han chance” that the damage was only cosmetic and that firefighters arrived on the scene rapidly.

Hogg admitted setting fire to a quantity of clothing and a sofa in the flat at 2.30pm.

The court heard that he then left the house to visit a local shop.

Panic-stricken neighbours dialled 999 as windows blackened with smoke in the ground floor flat with its common close.

Firefighters forced entry and used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze.

Hogg’s lawyer said: “He was on Valium at the time and had been drinking cider and Buckfast. He also suffers from depression. Things have moved on since then.

“He knew the householder. Frankly he does not know what occurred but he accepts the offence. I can’t advise what the motivation was. He does not seek to justify his actions.

Sheriff Galbraith said: “Your record is concerning and you have a previous conviction for this.

“You have to go to prison for a significant period which should be three years but I will modify it because of your early plea.”