A domestic abuser who deliberately started a fire at his former partner’s home, leaving her and a five-year-old child trapped inside, has been jailed.
Craig Higgs set fire to a barbecue, a bag of coals and other items in the communal stairwell of a property in Musselburgh on April 20, 2022.
The 37-year-old’s actions resulted in the exit from the common close in the building being blocked and residents being forced to take steps to try to avoid smoke from the fire.
A judge told Higgs at the High Court in Edinburgh that it was only through the skill of firefighters that some of the residents managed to escape with their lives.
COPFSHiggs was captured on CCTV footage walking towards the scene and leaving the area around ten minutes later.
Emergency services were called just seven minutes after Higgs was seen walking away.
The abuser’s former partner and the young child were trapped inside the flat as the building filled with thick smoke.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used an enforcer and an axe to gain entry to the property and rescue them.
Several other residents were also unable to leave the building until the fire was brought under control.
Significant damage was caused to the communal stairwell and several flats within the building.
Higgs was arrested by police around three hours later and was found to be in possession of a lighter.
COPFSWitnesses also reported seeing a man matching his description near the scene.
Higgs had earlier denied wilfully setting the fire to the danger of the lives of occupants, including a woman and a child, but was convicted of the charge.
He was originally accused of attempting to murder the woman and the boy, but was acquitted.
Lady Drummond said: “You claimed at the trial that you had not caused the fire. However, there was CCTV footage showing you walking towards the flats at the relevant time and soon after walking away from them.”
Higgs was found guilty of wilful fire-raising, endangering the lives of his former partner, a child and other residents.
He had earlier pled guilty to two charges of threatening or abusive behaviour on the first day of trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Lady Drummond made non harassment orders prohibiting Higgs from contacting three victims for an indefinite period and jailed him for seven years.
Procurator fiscal Sineidin Corrins, of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “Craig Higgs deliberately set a fire which left his former partner and a young child trapped inside their home and placed the lives of other residents in immediate danger.
“This was a calculated and deeply reckless act that put an entire community at risk and could easily have had fatal consequences.
“Domestic abuse takes many forms, but it is always harmful and can have devastating consequences for victims, their families and the wider community.
“Scotland’s prosecutors will continue to do everything we can to hold offenders accountable while supporting those affected through the prosecution process.
“No one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner, and I would urge anyone affected by this type of offending to seek support.”
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