Glasgow man jailed for killing neighbour after setting flat on fire

A man killed his neighbour after torching his home in a bid to get a move from his home in Glasgow's Pollokshields.

Junaid Saddiqui started the blaze in his flat in Lincluden Path on June 1, 2021.

The 54 year-old then fled the building without getting help when the blaze got out of his control.

Neighbour Rahul Thakur, 48, did not survive after suffering fatal smoke inhalation.

A judge heard how 15 other families were forced out of their homes due to the damage Saddiqui caused.

He told jurors his plan of starting a "little fire" hoping to then get shifted to a nearby sheltered housing complex was a "ridiculous idea".

Former airline worker Saddiqui had stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of murder.

But, he was today instead convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

He was still warned he faces a lengthy sentence when he returns to the dock next month.

Saddiqui had lived at the top-floor flat in Lincluden Path for three years.

He claimed he latterly tried his housing association to get a move.

His KC Ronnie Renucci put to him: "Did you think it would be better in the sheltered housing due to the community aspect?"

He replied: "Yes."

Saddiqui said on the day of the blaze he felt "pretty low".

Mr Renucci: "Did you do something about not hearing from the housing association?"

Saddiqui: "I thought I would start a little fire - it would cause a bit of damage and I would get a move quicker."

He claimed he wanted to let a bundle of paper in his living room "burn a bit" then he would put it out.

But, Saddiqui said the fire quickly got "unexpectedly bigger".

He initially tried to quell it with buckets of water before deciding to escape.

Saddiqui decided to go to a local shop and did not dial 999 as he was now "in a bit of trouble" and "afraid".

The court was shown photos of large flames and smoke then billowing from the building.

It was the headteacher of a nearby primary school and others who helped raise the alarm.

Mercy crews soon arrived with Saddiqui described as "calm" while outside.

He claimed to an ambulance worker that he had been cooking earlier and had left to go the shop.

Saddiqui told the trial he was "really upset" he had caused the death of a "good neighbour".

Mr Renucci: "Looking back at your idea to start a fire, cause a bit of damage and get a move - what do you think now?"

He replied: "It was just a ridiculous idea."

Prosecutor Derick Nelson later put to Saddiqui he could have got help that day, but instead "left everyone in the close to their fate".

Jurors today deleted an accusation that Saddiqui had used an "accelerant" in the blaze.

Lord Mulholland told him: "You set a fire in your own flat resulting in the death of your next door neighbour.

"Fifteen families were decanted from their homes - that was down to you.

"It will result in a lengthy sentence of imprisonment."

Saddiqui was remanded in custody pending sentencing on November 3 in Edinburgh.

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