Heartbreak and anger for blaze-hit Evanton woman (82) left homeless by man high on drugs
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An 82-year-old woman has spoken of her heartbreak and anger at losing her home in a blaze which caused almost £250,000 worth of damage.
The fire was started by 31-year-old Adam McQuarrie, who was high on drugs, when he set alight the woman's shed in Balconie Street, Evanton on January 13, 2022.
The flames spread to a hedge and the pensioner's nearby home, causing extensive damage and making her homeless.
McQuarrie was jailed for a total of 31 months by Sheriff Robert Frazer. He told McQuarrie: "You broke into the shed of an 82-year-old woman and don't remember that you set it on fire.
"As a result it spread to her house and it has been virtually destroyed with the consequent effects on this woman's health and well-being."
The sheriff read out excerpts from the victim's impact statement.
It said: "I have lost my confidence. I spend much of my time in my bed, and still have a lack of energy.
"I have lost interest in everything and I don't really want to meet people. In the early days I didn't really want to go out as I didn't want people to ask about what happened.
"It has been a long year for me. I miss my home and I miss my garden. I used to spend all my time in my garden. But I have no outside space where I am and that means I can't have my dog with me.
"I am angry at the stress he has caused to me and my family. If he hadn't done this I could still live an independent life."
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that the insurers were still attempting to repair the damage and the cost was a current estimate.
Fiscal depute Susan Love told Sheriff Robert Frazer: "She has not been in her house since January and is living in temporary accommodation."
At an earlier hearing, the court heard that the pensioner was going to bed around midnight when she heard noises outside and had a knock at her back door.
Ms Love said she was "too fearful" to answer.
Ms Love continued: "She then heard what sounded like a drilling noise from her shed. She looked out as a consequence and saw that her shed was on fire. A neighbour contacted police.
"The roof had then been ignited as a result of a hedge also catching fire."
A man was reported as being seen nearby and neighbours had rushed to the scene and found McQuarrie hiding nearby. He was questioned about starting the fire but he said: "No I stayed here for three year. I wouldn't do that." Then he ran away.
McQuarrie of Hollytown Road, Bellshill was later identified by police who had examined CCTV from the nearby Novar Arms Hotel and McQuarrie was seen trying several doors and climbing on to the roof.
"When questioned regarding the fireraising, he stated he was disgusted by this especially due to there being an elderly woman inside. 'I feel awful if it was me. Disgusted. It's shocking man.' "
McQuarrie was arrested four days after the fire on January 17 when police went to investigate two break-ins at Jubilee Drive and Juniper Drive, in Tain.
Ms Love added: "Police could hear rustling from a nearby garden. He began to exit the garden and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. His arms were trapped in a wet suit. A bluetooth speaker was also seized from him."
McQuarrie admitted attempting to break in to the hotel, wilful fire-raising and two charges of theft from the Tain properties.
His solicitor Matthew Berlow told the court his client was on a drug treatment and testing order and added: "He is doing very well. He is off drugs now and has turned his life around.
"He is in employment and sending him to jail would mean all his good work would be undone.
"My client can't remember anything about it. He was taking valium and alcohol then on a daily basis."
"He regrets the huge upheaval in this woman's life.
