A thug who set fire to his partner’s garden shed after an argument has been jailed for 19 months.
James Muir was told his reckless actions could have put lives at risk had the alarm not been raised.
Muir, 40, admitted wilful fireraising in Morgan Street, Larkhall, on June 22 last year.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions by contacting his partner and entering Morgan Street on September 1 this year.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard the woman’s home is one of four in a block and the communal garden has a wooden fence.
Firefighters who put out the blaze suspected petrol had been used as an accelerant.
Defence lawyer Sandy Morrison said the couple have known each other “for many years”. Despite the fire attack, the woman is willing to help Muir “address his issues” and has visited him while he has been in custody.
Sheriff Michael Higgins noted that Muir was at the time on a community payback order imposed for domestic abuse.
He told the accused: “Your record includes violence, disorder, vandalism and breach of court orders. You are deemed at high risk of further offending.
“You knew there was a petrol-powered lawnmower in the shed. This fire had the potential to cause serious harm to others and damage to property.
“Thankfully that did not occur due to those who reported it and the firefighters who put it out.”
The sheriff reduced the jail sentence from 30 months because of Muir’s guilty plea and backdated it as he has been in custody since September 2 this year.
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