A notorious firestarter caused more than £100,000 of damage in a spate of blazes in Wishaw, targeting a base for offenders carrying out unpaid community work. The culprit, Alan Beck, aged 45, who has a history of setting fire to various properties, including houses, a nursing home, and horse stables, has been imprisoned after admitting to three charges of wilful fireraising. Actions took place in the same area over a two-week period in November and December last year, as detailed in Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Beck’s targets included cabins owned by North Lanarkshire Council’s justice services team in the Carbarns area, followed by setting fire to a double garage at a resident’s home, necessitating a police evacuation. CCTV footage captured Beck at the scene. Subsequently, Beck returned to the area, setting fire to an outbuilding at a nearby house, causing extensive damage. Rosemary O’Neill, the prosecutor, mentioned the discovery of a black glove near the third fire, linking it to Beck.
Since 2009, Beck has accumulated jail sentences totalling 13 years for fire-raising incidents. Notable cases include torching houses in Cumbernauld, setting fires at a golf club, stables, and a nursing home, with 43 elderly people evacuated during the latter incident. In 2018, Beck received another four-and-a-half-year sentence for setting fire to a social worker’s car in Wishaw following financial assistance denial.
Defense advocate Callum Hiller informed the court about Beck’s learning difficulties, prolonged unemployment, and lack of familial support. Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentencing for later this month pending a criminal justice social work report, with Beck currently in custody awaiting his fate. News of the ongoing case can be accessed via Lanarkshire Live for updates and insights into local events.