Man sparked explosion at flat after girlfriend dumped him

A man who sparked a huge blast at his flat after his girlfriend dumped him has been jailed for more than five years.

Brian Reid tampered with a gas pipe at his flat in Glasgow’s Govan last March.

The 27-year-old earlier confessed to partner Emma Fitzsimmons he had cheated on her.

Reid claimed to be distraught when the 30-year-old ended the relationship.

Jurors heard how leaking gas was then lit causing the explosion

A total of ten flats were evacuated and more than 20 residents – included families – were forced out of their homes.

It was several months before one neighbour could move back in due to the damage caused.

Ms Fitzsimmons suffered cuts from shards of broken glass. Reid himself spent more than a week in hospital following the blast.

Reid was locked up for five years and three months at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.

He had earlier been convicted of culpably and recklessly endangering the lives of others.

Lady Stacey told Reid: “You put your girlfriend at risk of her life or at least serious injury.

“You caused similar risk to other people in the flats and, indeed, anyone else that was passing.

“It is fortunate no one lost their lives.”

Reid – who had been cleared of attempting to murder Ms Fitzsimmons – will also be supervised for a further three years on his release.

‘You must have known that the consequences from your efforts to take your own life would not just be limited to what happened to you?’
Prosecutor Bill McVicar

Prosecutor Bill McVicar: “You must have known that the consequences from your efforts to take your own life would not just be limited to what happened to you?”

Reid responded: “I was not thinking about everyone in the close. When I think about it now, it is something that I regret.”