Man who torched cars belonging to prison staff on Christmas Day to pay for drug debts jailed

A man who set fire to cars belonging to prison staff after he became unable to pay off drug debts has been jailed for five years and three months.

Graeme Seivwright, 43, was involved in the blaze at HMP Grampian in Peterhead early on December 25, 2023 which caused tens of thousands of pounds of damage.

On Thursday, the High Court in Edinburgh heard how Seivwright acted under orders from people he owed cash to for narcotics.

Defence lawyer John Scullion KC told judge Lord Mulholland: “He was unable to pay debts he accrued from drugs and was instructed by those he owed money to carry out the attacks.

“He now regrets his actions.”

Lord Mulholland had earlier heard how a total of eight vehicles had been parked in the area of the blaze with three alight.

Prosecutor David Logan told Lord Mulholland that investigators concluded the the blaze was deliberate.

Police found a discarded bottle nearby which contained petrol and also picked up a bottle cap which had Seivwright’s DNA on it.

Detectives then found a blue Mini which they had linked to the crime as a consequence of it being captured on CCTV heading towards the prison immediately before the blaze and then travelling south on the A90 shortly after.

The car was also said to have “activated various speed cameras” on the journey.

Three of the vehicles affected by the fire – a Hyundai i40, a BMW 220D Sport and a Seat Arona – had to be written off while a further three were said to be damaged.

Seivwright, of Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, had pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful fireraising at an earlier hearing in Glasgow. Sentence had been deferred until Thursday so that Lord Mulholland obtained a report detailing Seivwright’s background.

Passing sentence, Lord Mulholland told the offender he had to go to prison for his crimes and referred to Seivwright’s previous convictions..

He added: “You have pled guilty to a charge of wilful firer raising which involved you travelling by car to HMP Grampian where you set fire to prison officers’ cars, writing off three high value cars and causing over £12,000 damage to two other cars.

“The total value of the damage is £44,846.

“This was a sinister crime against the very people, prison officers, tasked with executing the orders of the court.

“It was clearly intended to intimidate and send a message to the people who worked at the prison.

“Prison officers do a difficult job which is often undervalued, and the courts take a dim view of this type of criminal behaviour and lengthy sentences of imprisonment will be imposed as punishment and a deterrent.

“You have an extensive criminal record which does you no credit.”

At an earlier hearing in Glasgow, Mr Logan told the court of the moment prison officers noticed what was happening.

He added: “Prison officers noticed a red glow coming from the car park and smelled smoke.

“Upon checking cameras, it was noted a car was on fire and two dark figures could be seen in the vicinity.”

A total of eight vehicles had been parked in the area of the blaze with three alight.

The blaze was deemed to be deliberate.

On Thursday, Lord Mulholland added: “Taking account of the timing of your plea of guilty, I sentence you to five years and three months imprisonment.”