William Kelly tells murder trial he set his mother on fire by accident

A Kilmarnock man accused of murdering his mother has told a jury he set her on fire by accident.

William Kelly, 42, denies murdering 71-year-old Cathy Kelly at their home in Kilmaurs Road, Kilmarnock, on February 11, by assaulting her, then pouring petrol over her and setting it alight.

Kelly told his defence QC Gordon Jackson that minutes before he had spilled petrol over his trousers and shoes while cleaning a car part in the garage.

He said he went back into the house for a cigarette and found his mother lying on the living room floor.

As he knelt over her to see if she was okay he went to light his cigarette

Kelly went on: “I've sparked the lighter to light the cigarette. Then it was a blue flash. “

Mr Jackson asked Kelly: “You are saying your mother was accidentally set on fire,” and he replied: “Yes.”

The court has heard from Kelly''s former partner Eleanor Banks who claimed that Kelly beat up his mother and then doused her in petrol before setting her on fire.

Kelly was asked if this was true and said: “No, I didn't do that.”

The High Court in Glasgow has heard that all three were out at a 21st birthday party that night. Shortly after they returned home the house was on fire and Mrs Kelly was dead.

Mr Jackson asked Kelly if he had ever hit his mother and he denied this.

Kelly was asked by the QC why he had sent a text around Christmas 2016 to Mrs Banks referring to his mother and saying: “I'll give her two black eyes for Christmas,” and responded: “It was a joke.”

He was then asked if he loved her and replied: “My mum was everything to me. I actually gave up my life to come back for my mum.”

The court heard that Kelly suffered injuries to his legs, hands and face in the blaze.

The trial continues, with Kelly still giving evidence.

• william kelly
• Murder Trial
• high court glasgow
• Kilmarnock