A man has gone on trial accused of setting a fire which almost killed a man in a Highland flat.
Jamie McCarrick allegedly started the blaze at the property at Mansefield Estate, Tain, in July after breaking into the property and assaulting resident James William Cowe.
The 26-year-old is accused of “wilfully” setting fire to clothing and furnishings in the flat, placing branches, twigs and leaves on top of a sofa which he poured petrol on and lit.
He is on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen accused of attempting to murder Mr Cowe, who prosecutors say McCarrick had previously shown “ill-will towards”.
McCarrick is also accused of stealing two tins of tobacco and a mobile phone from the property that night, and of pretending to police officers that he was his brother when he was questioned about the alleged offences a month later.
The court heard evidence yesterday from a 14-year-old boy who had been with McCarrick in the hours leading up to the alleged crime.
The teenager said the accused had been helping him fix his bike that day and had been in an “alright mood”.
But he said that after receiving a phone call, McCarrick snapped.
“He changed,” he said.
“He went into a bad mood.”
The witness said he, his father and McCarrick headed in the direction of Mansefield Estate, where McCarrick disappeared in the direction of a block of flats.
“All I can remember is a big orangey-red flash then Jamie running,” he said.
The teenager said his father, who was with them, had been staggering beside the flats as he had been drinking.
McCarrick’s counsel, advocate John McElroy, told the court the youngster originally told police he knew nothing about the incident, then changed his statement several weeks later to say he had been with McCarrick at the time.
Mr McElory said the account he had given in court did not match what he told officers.
He asked the youngster if he was covering for his father, who had been questioned about the incident but later released.
“How does it come to be that you tell the police something different in October and something different today?” he asked.
The youngster replied: “I’m a bit confused at the moment.”
The trial, before Lord Burns, continues.
