Fire bomber tried to murder five people by sparking flat blaze

A fire bomber tried to murder five people including his ex-girlfriend and her new partner in a flat blaze.

John MacDonald hurled a bottle containing petrol or other flammable liquid through a window at a house in Elgin, Moray, injuring all of those inside.

On Monday, the 43-year-old was jailed for 13 years at the High Court in Edinburgh for the attack.

MacDonald, from Elgin, had earlier denied attempting to murder Alistair Brooks, Anne Roate, Daniel Doherty, Lisa Sharp and George Lindsay by wilfully setting fire to the flat at Kingsmills in the Morayshire town on December 12 last year.

The judge noted that four of the victims escaped with relatively minor injuries but that Mr Brooks suffered burns over a quarter of his body and continues to receive treatment.

During the trial, the court heard that MacDonald had previously been dating Ms Sharp but she had started a relationship with Mr Lindsay before the attempted murder.

Lord Stewart told MacDonald: "You continue to deny responsibility and in keeping with that position you have exhibited no remorse. I judge the only proper sentence is a long period of imprisonment."

The judge said he noted that MacDonald had a criminal record but added there "nothing approaching the seriousness" of the latest offence. He added the motivation for the crime appeared to be "a grudge" MacDonald bore against Mr Lindsay.

Defence counsel Tony Graham said although MacDonald had previous convictions there was "nothing indicative of a pattern of public harm".

He added: "What we have is a one-off incident, albeit one that is serious." Mr Graham said MacDonald had led "a fairly uneventful life" and had a reasonable work record.

He added: "We heard in evidence there were issues over a young lady. When he is released he will be a wiser and older man."

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