Case of alleged fire-raiser continues after ‘not guilty’ plea

An alleged fire-raiser is also accused of threatening to carry out a school shooting and claimed to have been responsible for the Bradford Stadium FC fire in May 1985.

The fire claimed 56 lives and injured a further 265 people.

John Robson is currently detained under a treatment order, at New Craigs psychiatric hospital in Inverness, pending the outcome of his case at Wick Sheriff Court.

The indictment the 46-year-old is facing alleges that he set fire to a car at Westfield, causing damage to the rear offside wing and later torched the same vehicle, destroying it.

Robson has pleaded not guilty and also denies a further charge of threatening or abusive conduct at Wick Police Station.

The incidents are said to have occurred between April 8 and 10.

His solicitor, Sarah-Jane McFarlane, told Sheriff Neil Wilson that there was accommodation available for the accused at the Inverness unit and she required a continuation to discuss his plea.

The case was continued until August 20.