Woman threatened to blow up house during four-hour stand-off with police

A woman threatened to blow up her house during a four-hour stand-off with police in Glasgow.

Laura Russell, 47, claimed she would ignite her 12 oxygen tanks with a lighter at the property in Baillieston on June 6.

During the four-hour standoff with the police, Russell played Sophie Ellis Bextor’s hit Murder on the Dancefloor loudly from a speaker.

She also shouted the lyric: “Gonna burn this goddamn house right down.”

The incident attracted the attention of neighbours who were later ordered to vacate the area.

Russell pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to culpable and reckless conduct.

She also admitted a separate charge of theft.

Sheriff Joan Kerr was told at sentencing that a social work plan could be put in place for Russell’s rehabilitation.

The sheriff stated: “Those around you had to be evacuated, and that is the most serious matter, as it brings you to court.

“I could sentence you to prison for a lengthy period of time.

“I will allow you the opportunity to comply with all that has been recommended, and I will leave this very serious matter hanging over your head.

“If you fail to engage with that plan, I can still send you to prison.”

Sheriff Kerr deferred the matter until November this year and granted Russell bail.

The court previously heard that Russell stole a quantity of alcohol from a Morrisons supermarket.

Police went to her property one month later on June 6 at 8.25pm to speak to her but she did not answer the door and hid behind it.

Officers, however, were able to see Russell’s feet through the letterbox.

Russell refused to open the door and was informed that officers would force entry.

Prosecutor Lauren Sangray said: “She told officers she would blow up the house by igniting the 12 oxygen tanks that she had within.

“Russell thereafter began playing music at full volume, singing along to the song ‘Murder on the Dance Floor’ and then shouting the lyrics ‘I’m going to burn the god damn house right down’.

“Due to the level of the music and her singing, Russell had attracted the attention of neighbouring residents within their gardens who would have heard the threats she had made.”

Russell made threats to blow up the house and turned on a machine used to administer oxygen.

Russell then flicked a lighter on and off.

An evacuation of the street then took place and just before 12.15am Russell presented herself to police before being taken to hospital where she was discharged.

When she was cautioned and charged, she replied: “Guilty.”

Claire Donoghue, defending, told the sentencing that her client has drug and alcohol problems.

The lawyer said: “She is a grandmother and knows things have to change.

“She is embarrassed for her conduct on that night.

“She knows that the oxygen tanks were empty and apologises to her neighbours as well as the police officers.”