A man who set fire to the front door of a stranger's home in the middle of the night has avoided a prison sentence.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that the woman was woken by a smoke alarm and managed to extinguish the flames herself.
Filip Tekiel, 24, of Dunkeld Place, Hamilton, admitted wilful fireraising at a property in Rorison Place, Ashgill, on February 25, 2024.
Sheriff's warning over potential tragedy
Sheriff Kevin McCallum KC told Tekiel: "You set fire to the front door of a random stranger's house in the wee small hours.
"This used to be a hanging offence. It could have been much worse. Thank goodness she had a smoke detector."
The sheriff added: "It's good fortune, and nothing to do with you, that the consequences of this were less serious than they could have been.
"Since this incident you have stayed out of trouble and it seems you have put previous associates behind you.
"You are under 25 and the sentencing guidelines for young people apply. I am persuaded - narrowly - to impose an alternative to custody."
Details of the attack
Prosecutor Calum Frame said the woman was woken by the smoke alarm at 2.30am.
He told the court: "She went downstairs and saw an orange glow outside the front door.
"At first she thought a neighbour's caravan was on fire but then realised the flames were coming from her front door.
"She opened the door and saw on the step a blue plastic box that seemed to be the source of the fire.
"She kicked the box away, got water and extinguished the fire.
"The woman contacted the police and told them she didn't know why anyone would have done this."
Police retrieved CCTV and doorbell camera footage that showed an individual lighting the box with a piece of paper. The box contained petrol and the paper had Tekiel's DNA on it.
Mr Frame added: "Damage was confined to the front door. It was replaced at a cost of £1130."
Sentence and conditions
Defence lawyer Gregor Jarrott said Tekiel had "no excuse" for his behaviour.
Mr Jarrott stated: "At the time he was associating with a certain peer group. He was in a bad space in terms of his mental health."
Tekiel is currently on a community payback order for cocaine dealing and carrying a blade. Mr Jarrott said he is "engaging well" with the order.
Tekiel was ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid community work and must not contact the woman under a two-year non-harassment order. A nine-month electronic tagging order confines him to his home between 7pm and 7am each day.
