Threat to burn down part of Thurso was 'nothing more than a rant,' Wick court hears

Trouble flared when Ryan McGinley visited his former partner and it ended with him threatening to burn down the area in which her home was situated.

The 25-year-old wanted to have a chat with Rebecca Richards in a bid to "sort things out" but matters escalated and he began to shout and swear – and then made his threat to burn down Thurso's entire Ormlie area, Wick Sheriff Court was told on Monday.

A third person in Miss Richards' home tried to calm things down but McGinley turned on him and challenged him to a fight.

Fiscal David Barclay said that the accused issued threats to unspecified people, not present, before making the fire threat.

However, the fiscal dismissed it and added: "It was nothing more than a rant rather than a serious intention. There was nothing to suggest that he was the type of person who would carry out such a threat."

The police were contacted and McGinley, who is unemployed, left the house of his own accord.

The court was told that Miss Richards had made it clear that there was no realistic prospect of the relationship being resumed and that a non-harassment order would "allow her breathing space".

McGinley admitted a reduced charge of threatening or abusive behaviour on September 29, last year.

Solicitor Josey Donnachie told the court that McGinley, of Macaulay View, Thurso, was drunk at the time and had little or no recollection of his behaviour, although he was not putting that forward as an excuse.

The accused was "embarrassed" at having found himself in the court and was "extremely apologetic", she added.

She appealed to Sheriff Joseph Platt to consider a financial penalty and he adopted the suggestion. McGinley was fined £280 and will be subject to a two-year non-harassment order.