A north-east youth, whose “grossly irresponsible actions” set a hotel on fire which caused damage of more than £600,000, has been spared detention.
The teenager was out with friends in Fraserburgh at around 9pm in October, 2016, when he noticed that the function room of the Station Hotel was unoccupied and decided to break in.
After he was unable to get through the door, he smashed a glass pane and entered the property on Seaforth Street.
His friends followed him inside, whereupon he took out a cigarette lighter and dropped it onto the carpet which caught fire.
The youngsters all fled from the scene as the blaze consumed the whole building and spread to the neighbouring Barclay’s Carpets.
The two guests in the hotel at the time had to be evacuated and the fire service sent along 20 firefighters who spent two hours tackling the blaze.
The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, confessed to the offence which took place on October 24, 2016, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last year and returned yesterday to be sentenced.
Fiscal depute Stephanie Ross revealed the extent of the damage caused.
She said: “The cost of damage to the hotel was £450,000, the insurance claim is in dispute.
“It has not been able to open since.
“The costs of the damage to Barclay’s Carpets was £225,000, and part of the insurance claim is ongoing.
“They were forced to trade from the car park, but have since able to return [to the premises].”
Representing the teenager, defence agent Sam Milligan said the youngster was extremely sorry for his actions.
He added: “He has no previous convictions. The reports show the behaviour that night was not part of a bigger problem and he has shown considerable remorse for his actions.”
Imposing a sentence, Sheriff William Summers said: “You actions were grossly irresponsible and extraordinarily dangerous.
“The behaviour was little short of catastrophic, but could have been even worse.
“I take account of your age and the fact you appear before the court with no previous convictions.”
He placed the teenager under supervision for a period of three years and under a restriction of liberty order for four months.