Teenage firebug gets more time behind bars for targeting primary school

A teenage firebug who caused almost £160,000 of damage to a primary school when he set it ablaze has had his time behind bars extended. Colin McDonald, 18, targeted Gowanbank Primary on December in Pollok, Glasgow in December 2016.

Then 16-years-old, he and two others were spotted going into the school through a window then setting something on fire.

The trio fled the scene, back past the house of the local resident who witnessed their crime.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard £157,595 worth of damage was caused to the school as the fire ripped through it.

The vandal from Pollok, pled guilty to wilfully setting fire to the school causing extensive damage to the property and furniture, on December 7, 2016.

McDonald also admitted breaching a previously imposed curfew and a charge of housebreaking and was sentenced for three crimes at once.

Sheriff Paul Crozier branded the serial criminal “a menace” with “a horrendous schedule of offencing”.

He ordered McDonald to serve 10 months for the fire raising and a further 12 months for the other two offences, which he will serve at the end of his current sentence.

McDonald appeared from custody, having already been detained for 22 months for breaching a previously imposed community payback order.

Procurator fiscal depute Mark Allan said “About 5.30pm on December 7, 2016, a local resident saw the accused and two others walk past his house in the direction of the primary school.

“One of them was carrying a green petrol canister.

“All of them were seen to enter the grounds and access was gained to the school through a window.”

The trio were seen setting something alight which was thrown into the school and ignited.

Mr Allan said the three then escaped and made their way past the same neighbour’s house again.

The emergency services including police and fire service were at the scene by 6.05pm and “five pumps were required to bring the blaze under control”.

The green petrol canister was found outside the window where the accused had climbed into the school.

He was tracked down on December 17 and cautioned and charged, and made no reply.

Photographs of the damage caused to the school were shown to sheriff Crozier.

In 2013 a janitor had to be rescued from a blaze at the school, which was thought to have been started deliberately.

The school was also hit by vandals earlier in 2016 when £10,000 worth of damage was caused.

Solicitor advocate Eddie Gilroy, defending, said there had been a change in attitude from McDonald who “understands the impact” of his actions.

He said McDonald had a difficult childhood and hopes to return to stay with his grandmother when he is released.