Man jailed for throwing firework into Glasgow bin lorry

A Sheriff praised the “brave actions” of a bin man who jumped into the back of his refuse truck to stop it going on fire after a thug threw a lit firework in. William Girdwood, 26, chucked a lit Roman candle firework into the lorry as it collected rubbish on Argyle Street in Glasgow city centre. Bin man Andrew McKinnon was working at the back of the truck while his colleague drove and jumped in after the explosive to prevent a fire. Girdwood pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to culpably and recklessly throwing a lit firework into the bin lorry filled with cardboard boxes on May 20. He also admitted several breaches of bail. Jailing Girdwood for 18 months, sheriff Paul Crozier told him: “But for the very swift and brave actions of Mr McKinnon, goodness knows what might have happened. “The reason you’re not going to jail for longer is because no damage and no injury was caused.” The court heard around 11.35pm at Heilaman’s umbrella at Glasgow’s Central Station Mr McKinnon and his colleague William Honeyman were working. Procurator fiscal depute John Bedford said: “Attention was drawn to Girdwood who was in Argyle Street. “He was in possession of a firework, it was lit and the two employees observed there was sparks. “It was a Roman candle type firework with a number of sparks flying off of it.” Girdwood threw the firework into the back of the truck which was quite full with cardboard boxes at the time. Mr McKinnon was close to the back of the vehicle and later told police “I had to jump in the back of the truck because it could’ve caused a fire.” His colleague who was driving said “Andy jumped out to get it before it caught fire.” A nearby taxi driver told police on Union Street who made their way round the corner Girdwood was arrested. Defence lawyer Craig Grimes said his client - a dad of two - apologises for his conduct and “knows he needs to sort his life out”.

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