Killearn fire-starter sentence delayed

Sep 30 2011 by Stephen Robertson, Stirling Observer Friday

A FIRE-STARTER who torched three classic cars at a garage in Killearn had his sentence further deferred earlier this week.

Nathan Mowat (25), pictured, caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when he started the blaze in the building in the grounds of the Old Killearn Hospital, by the A81, back in January 2009.

He previously pleaded guilty to the fire-raising offence at an appearance at Stirling Sheriff Court earlier this month and sentence was deferred until Wednesday of this week for reports.

In court on Wednesday, however, Sheriff William Gilchrist noted that the report submitted was actually from 2010 and was therefore “clearly not sufficient”.

This meant that the case had to be further adjourned to allow a more up-to-date document to be prepared.

When Mowat last appeared on September 6, the court was told that the fire service raced to tackle the blaze at around 4am on the morning in question.

Fiscal depute Graham McLachlan told the court: “Investigations began shortly after that and it became quite clear that the fire had been started deliberately.”

A hammer was later found in the one of the cars damaged and police discovered that Mowat had left behind traces of his DNA on this item, which led officers right to him.

Mr McLachlan also told the court that two of the three cars were insured but that the third was valued at around £14,000, though this estimation was disputed by Mowat’s defence.

Mowat, from Glasgow, will appear in court again for sentencing on October 26.