A convicted drug dealer has been jailed for 18 months for torching a man’s car.
Kyle Kerr claimed it was an act of revenge after he was the victim of a serious assault.
Kerr, 34, was jailed for two years in June after admitting two charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Three bags containing cocaine with a street value of £2,040 were seized from his home in Maxton Crescent, Wishaw, in June 2023.
Police also found £605 in mixed notes, digital scales stained with a white powder and small bags used to hold drugs.
Kyle was caught again in Kirknethan, Netherton, in August last year while on bail.
This time police officers, acting on intelligence, targeted a Mercedes vehicle in a car park.
Kerr was in the front passenger seat and tried to escape, shoving an officer and trying to punch her.
He was caught after a short chase. This time he had a bag of cocaine worth £460.
Kerr was again on bail awaiting the drugs cases when he set fire to a Mercedes in Caledonian Road, Wishaw, on February 29 this year.
He appeared from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted a charge of wilful fireraising.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said: “The Mercedes was in a parking area outside flats. Around 5.25pm a witness saw Kyle approach the car and produce a bottle from his jacket.
“He threw liquid on to the bonnet and the next thing the car was engulfed in flames.
“The fire service established that petrol had been used. There was extensive damage to the vehicle.”
Defence lawyer Stephen MacBride told the court: “He says that shortly before this the car owner inflicted a serious assault on him. He retaliated in the way described.”
Kerr has a previous conviction for fireraising and Mr MacBride conceded his criminal record, which also includes violence, “doesn’t assist him”.
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