Three thugs set ex-soldier’s house on fire with family asleep inside over an argument about stolen wood in Dumfriesshire
One brute told cops he set the fire for £50 to give Mr Patterson a 'scare'
Three thugs set an ex-solider's house on fire in Dumfriesshire with his family asleep inside over an argument about stolen wood.
Christopher Harkins 34, James O'Brien 23, and Stephen Garrity 24, were jailed for a total of 22 years after they targeted Andrew Patterson.
Mr Patterson's expensive BMW Gran Turismo was set alight with the fire spreading to his house in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway.
Both the car and property were wrecked. Mr Patterson and his family – who were initially asleep - luckily managed to escape.
Garrity admitted to cops he set the fire for £50 to give Mr Patterson a 'scare'.
Jurors heard how the blaze was so severe it took several hours to extinguish.
The trio returned to the High Court in Glasgow after each had been convicted of wilful fire-raising.
Lord Beckett said the incident must have been “terrifying for all concerned”.
The judge described Harkins as “the primary organiser” in the “highly reckless” crime.
Lord Beckett said both Harkins and O'Brien had “hatched a plan” to target Mr Patterson before “recruiting” Garrity.
Harkins was jailed for nine years, O'Brien six years while Garrity was locked up for seven years.
The court heard Mr Patterson had ran a firewood company which hit money troubles.
He had earlier sold Harkins £250-worth of wood. There was a separate issue over a van Harkins had bought from him.
Harkins sent a text to Mr Patterson stating: “You're a dafty, pal.”
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In a police interview, Garrity said he had travelled from Dumfries to Annan with Harkins and O'Brien.
He stated he had been offered £50 to start a fire.
Garrity denied torching the BMW – instead insisting he had poured petrol on Mr Patterson's driveway before setting it alight.
He added: “Chris told me to get out and do it. He said he had dealings with the guy and he had stolen wood from him.
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“He told me to pour petrol at the back of the driveway. James showed me where the house was.
“I used a lighter to ignite it. After I came back to the van, Chris said: 'That'll give him a scare'.”
Garrity claimed he was “in tears” the next day when he found out on Facebook the extent of the damage.
The court heard that Mr Patterson lost his home with he and his family having to now live with relatives.
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