Mauchline Man Jailed After Fire

A maniac who set a house on fire because his dog was barred from a Hogmanay party has been jailed for 12 years.

Despicable Alexander Gay,45, was furious when his lurcher Ozzy was banned from shindig in a flat because fellow party goer Gary Spence was allergic to dogs.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Gay took revenge for the slight by setting the common close adjoining the property alight with petrol.

He tried to murder six people who were attending the party in Mauchline, Ayrshire.

A man who lived beside the flat that was set on fire, George Stoba, 59, died in the days following the January 1 2014 incident with a heart attack.

However, Mr Stoba had health problems and prosecutors were unable to establish that he died directly as a consequence of Gay's actions.

On Tuesday, Gay was jailed after defence QC Mark Stewart told the court that the fiend still wasn't accepting responsibility for his actions.

Passing sentence, judge Lady Wolffe told Gay that his actions were "foolish" and "despicable."

Lady Wolffe added: "I take note that that you have expressed no remorse for what you did on that evening.

"What you did on that evening was pre-meditated, cowardly and despicable.

"These people had gathered together to see in the new year. They had an expectation that they would be safe.

"But what you did on that evening was premeditated, cowardly and despicable."

Gay, also of Mauchline, was convicted last month of attempting to murder six people at the High Court in Glasgow.

Sentence had been deferred in order for the court to obtain reports into his character.

At earlier proceedings, the court had heard from the party's host, Francis Brown.

He told the court how Gay had turned up with his dog but later left as Mr Spence was allergic to the animal.

Mr Brown added: "It was a big dog - very erratic and all over everyone.

"Gary was allergic to dogs. He was sneezing and his eyes were watering.

"Alex was told to go but come back without his dog."

Mr Brown then showed Gay out after an hour but told him he was welcome to return.

Mr Brown added: "The last thing I heard from him what that he would be f*g back."

About an hour later, Gay was caught on CCTV carrying a petrol can towards the flat and then leaving.

He later confessed to his girlfriend that he started the blaze. Party goer David McCann leapt from a window after the blaze took hold and ran to a neighbour for help.

Five others - revellers Gary, Francis, John Caldwell, Melissa Marrs and George Stoba, who was in his flat next door, had to be rescued.

Gary,40, suffered 30 per cent burns and lost his sight due to the intense heat.

Stoba, who had blocked coronary arteries, died of a heart attack days later.

Gay was originally charged with Stoba's murder but Lady Wolffe ruled it was unsafe to say his death had been caused by the fire.

On Tuesday, Mark Stewart QC told the court that his client still maintained his position of innocence.

Saying that his client had mental health issues, Mr Stewart added: "Due to to Mr Gay maintaining what was his position at the trial, there is nothing more I can usefully say in his defence."

Lady Wolffe told Gay that jail was the only sentence available to her.

She added: "It is only good fortune that no one died through your actions."