Man admits setting fire to Leith church and Sikh temple to make "political statement"

A man with "issues" with God and religion started fires at two places of worship in Edinburgh within minutes of each other.

49-year-old Paul Johnson told police after he was arrested for the fires at a Methodist church and a Sikh temple that he had wanted to watch them burn down. Johnson said he was wanting to make "a political statement".

Advocate depute Alan Cameron said: "When asked whether this was religiously motivated he stated that he has no issue with any particular religion but his issues are with religion and God in general."

Johnson admitted two charges of wilful fire raising aggravated by religious prejudice when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh.

He pled guilty to setting fire to the doors of the Leith Methodist Church at Junction Place, in Edinburgh, on August 28 this year by pouring petrol over them and applying a naked flame resulting in charring and burn marks.