Man tried to set alight friend's flat in Lanarkshire tower block

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A man who tried to torch his friend's flat was caught after using his own hooded top to start the blaze.Forensic tests on a charred piece of clothing proved the top belonged to James Brownlie.Brownlie, 33, admitted setting fire to the flat in Dalziel Tower, Motherwell, on April 13 while on bail.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that firefighters arrived to find the front door of the fifth floor flat well ablaze.They managed to douse the flames and prevent the fire spreading.Abby Seal, prosecuting, said: "They forced entry and found the flat was empty."Rags behind the door were still smouldering.

It appeared these had been pushed through the letterbox."They were from a black hooded top."Police officers spoke to the occupant who said he, the accused and another male had left the flat in the afternoon."CCTV showed Brownlie, who was wearing a black hoodie, taking the lift to the fifth floor."He was seen again on film 36 minutes later when he was no longer wearing the hoodie."Brownlie's DNA was found on the remains of the hoodie.Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said his client has drugs and mental health issues.Mr Bruce stated: "He doesn't have much recollection of the fire but accepts he was the person responsible."There is no suggestion of any fallout with his pal.