Man who tried to murder neighbours by cutting open gas pipes and starting fire jailed

A man who tried to murder his neighbours by causing a gas leak and fire during a siege at his home has been jailed for five years and seven months.

Gary McIntyre, 31, cut open gas pipes at his home and set fire to household items at the property in Watson Street, Cowdenbeath, on December 27, 2024.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard on how Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, ambulance and emergency gas workers rushed to the scene.

The court heard how the emergency service workers were scrambled after receiving a call from McIntyre’s former partner.

She spoke of how McIntyre was planning to end his life.

The woman said McIntyre had told her that he cut the gas pipes and was going to die.

Prosecutor Naomei Warner told judge Norman McFadyen KC of how McIntyre had refused to co-operate with police officers who arrived at the scene, The court heard how he threw items – including a fridge – at them.

Ms Warner said this left officers unable to assess the extent of the leak and left emergency gas workers trying to assess the situation.

She added: “A probe was placed through the letter box. The accused tried to pull it. In a normal situation, the reading is supposed to be zero parts of gas in one million parts of air.

“The readings which were taken were 750 parts of gas, 8,500 parts of gas and then 11,000 parts of gas per million.

‘Due to these readings neighbours within the surrounding properties were evacuated.”

McIntyre pleaded guilty to an attempted murder charge before judge Norman McFadyen at a hearing last month. Sentence was deferred for the court to obtain a background report and McIntyre reappeared for sentencing on Thursday morning.

After hearing submissions from defence lawyer Gordon Martin KC, judge McFadyen told McIntyre that he needed to serve jail time.

Passing sentence, judge McFadyen told McIntyre that he’d also be supervised for three years following his release from custody.

He added: “I note that you have a significant record of previous convictions including violence.

“In all the circumstances, I have concluded that the most appropriate sentence to impose is an extended sentence.

“This will include a custodial period of five years and seven months and an extension period of three years supervision in the community.”

The story emerged during a hearing last month in which McIntyre, now of Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, pleaded guilty to a charge of wilfully setting fire to “unknown items” within his then house which then took hold.

McIntyre admitted that he did this in order to cause an explosion having earlier damaged “internal gas pipes” at the house which caused a gas leak.

The charge also stated that he barricaded the door to “prevent emergency services from entering” and his actions were “all to the danger of the lieges” – a legal expression meaning people – and that he did “attempt to murder” them.

Ms Warner told the court that McIntyre’s former partner had spoken to him earlier in the day and was concerned by what he told her.

The advocate depute added: “He was crying, repeatedly apologising and saying that he couldn’t deal with the pain.

“She then contacted the police to inform them that the accused had told her he had cut the gas pipes within his home with the intention of ending his life.”

The court heard that this prompted a multi agency response from the emergency services.

Gas engineers became so concerned about the build up of gas, they cut and capped the mains pipe outside.

Police officers tried to enter the property but found that McIntyre had created a barricade. He also threw items at them.

Ms Warner said that McIntyre had appeared at the window of his home and told him he was going to end his life.

He also threatened police officers who tried to come into his house.

Ms Warner said: “The accused told them ‘if I’m dying, I’m taking one of youse with me.”

Later in the day, the emergency services saw a fire in the property. Fire and Rescue workers were forced to break a window to drench it with water.

The court heard that McIntyre repeatedly refused to engage with police negotiators. He was told that firearms officers were coming to the scene and he surrendered then.

A gas explosion was avoided.

On Thursday, Mr Martin told the court that the issue was caused by his client’s poor mental health – he had recently broken up with his partner and police had crushed his van.

The court heard that McIntyre had worked as a self employed joiner and his tools, which cost £3,500, were inside the vehicle at the time. The court heard how this affected his ability to work.

Mr Martin said his client’s mental health had improved and he has had counselling for his issues.

Speaking about a background report that had been prepared for the court, Mr Martin added: “He expresses genuine remorse for his actions.

“He is someone who will accept the opportunities presented to him whilst in custody.”

McIntyre was then led away from court to begin his sentence.