A thug who torched a car outside a Motherwell tower block has been jailed for 20 months.
Anthony O’Rourke used petrol in a beer bottle to set the vehicle alight, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard this week.
O’Rourke, 27, admitted wilful fire-raising in a car park outside Netherwood Tower on September 12, 2023.
No motive was given for the attack and the female owner was “at a loss” as to why her Vauxhall Astra was targeted.
Firefighters were called to the area around 11pm and put out the blaze.
Lewis Devoy, prosecuting, told the court: “They noted that the car’s front passenger window had been smashed and a beer bottle with a burnt blue rag was in the driver’s footwell.
“There was a strong smell of petrol coming from the car.
“Police officers viewed CCTV and saw a possible suspect approach the car in possession of a bottle. A large flame was then observed and the suspect could be seen fleeing.”
The bottle was sent for forensic analysis. It contained a mix of beer and petrol, and O’Rourke’s DNA was found on it.
He gave a ‘no comment’ interview when police officers arrested him.
Mr Devoy added: “Officers spoke to the Astra owner who was at a loss as to why the incident took place.
“Her insurers had the car written off with a value of £4,000, but she was £1,000 out of pocket due to the insurance excess and associated costs.”
Dad of one O’Rourke admitted previous convictions.
His solicitor, Scott Jones, said he has a history of drug and alcohol abuse, and has been affected by the deaths of his mother and a close friend in recent years.
Mr Jones added: “He offers no excuse and has little recollection of the incident.”
Jailing O’Rourke, Sheriff Colin Dunipace told him: “This is an extremely serious matter.
“Anyone who wilfully sets fire to a vehicle, particularly in proximity to homes, can expect to be dealt with severely by the court.”
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