A notorious firestarter has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after causing over £100,000 worth of damage in a series of blazes. Alan Beck, 45, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted to wilfully setting fires in the Carbarns area of Netherton. This marks Beck’s latest conviction for fire-raising in a criminal record that spans more than 16 years, with previous convictions dating back to 2009.
In the recent incidents, Beck targeted cabins used by offenders on community payback orders, a double garage, and an outbuilding at a nearby house. CCTV footage captured Beck at the scene of one of the fires, leading to his arrest. The prosecuting attorney revealed that a glove found near one of the fires was linked to Beck, and his brazen response upon being apprehended was, “Why did it take you so long to catch me?”
In sentencing Beck, Sheriff Linda Nicolson acknowledged his significant history of fireraising offences, including instances where he set fire to several houses, a golf club, stables, and a nursing home. In one particularly dangerous incident at Rannoch Lodge Nursing Home in Cumbernauld, 43 elderly residents had to be evacuated when Beck ignited curtains. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the potential harm was substantial.
Beck’s defence advocate highlighted his client’s learning difficulties, unemployment, and lack of family support as factors to consider. Despite these challenges, Sheriff Nicolson determined that custody was the appropriate outcome, stating that there was little chance of success with a community-based sentence at this time. Beck’s sentence was backdated to account for the time he has been in custody since his arrest in December.
Alan Beck’s latest sentence adds to his long history of fire-related crimes, underscoring the serious nature of his actions and the significant impact they have had on the community. The repeated pattern of his behaviour highlights the need for stringent measures to address and prevent such dangerous criminal activity in the future.