Intoxicated intruder started fire and attempted Easter Ross break-ins, Highland court told
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An 82-year-old woman's home was damaged when an intoxicated intruder set fire to her garden shed and it spread to the property's roof.
The incident happened in Balconie Street, Evanton on January 13, 2022 as the pensioner was going to bed around midnight.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told she heard noises outside and had a knock at her back door but fiscal depute Susan 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.
The cost of the damage was not available immediately, Ms Love told the court.
A man was reported as being seen nearby and neighbours had rushed to the scene and found 31-year-old Adam 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 fire-raising, 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."
Sheriff Robert Frazer deferred sentence until July 4 for a background report and McQuarrie's bail was continued.
But he was warned that jail was a real possibility because of the fire-raising charge.
