A five-hour siege in a Moray town was sparked by a row over a toy car.
People were evacuated from their homes as police negotiators attempted to coax Lee Campbell out of his Forres home in August last year.
Gas supplies were cut to Stuart Street and fire services put on stand-by after the 26-year-old doused his home with petrol and threatened to “blow it up”.
Yesterday, Campbell admitted a single breach of the peace charge when he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court.
Fiscal Kevin Corrins revealed the dispute started when Campbell, who now lives in Elgin, called a former work colleague to bring back a model car he had let him borrow.
But when the toy vehicle was returned to him, he threw it to the ground and said he did not want it anymore.
Defence solicitor Michael Short explained his client had blown the car into a “big issue” as his life spiralled out of control following a “perfect storm” of him losing his job five months previously, falling into debt and the death of two grandparents.
Police were called shortly before 9pm on August 30 after the man who brought the car saw Campbell dousing his home and himself in petrol.
Mr Corrins said: “When police approach the house he shouts at the officers, referring to them as rats. He also threatened to attack any officer that went into the house.
“At that point officers formed the opinion that engaging with the accused made him more agitated. It was noted the petrol can was lying next to the external gas box outside the window where the accused was and he had a lighter within his hand and he makes reference to blowing his house up.”
Police negotiators remained at the scene into the early hours of the following morning while Campbell continued to throw items including slates, weights and clothing out of the window.
The specialist officers eventually persuaded him to surrender himself shortly after 2am.
Mr Short stressed his client had suffered significant personal issues after losing his job in March last year.
In the days leading up to the siege he had been served an eviction notice from his home due to rent arrears and his electricity had been cut off.
Mr Short said: “He had difficulties with getting benefits and had to rely on family and friends.
“Everything seemed like it was spiralling out of control for him. At that point minor things get blown up into major things in his head, like the toy car. Today he can’t figure out why he reacted like that.”
Campbell, of Meadow Crescent in Elgin, had his sentence deferred until May 1 for reports to be prepared.
