Lanarkshire man who set fire to his home must wait to learn fate

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A man who set fire to his home must wait longer to discover his fate. Neighbours had to be rescued after John Evans torched the flat in George Court, Hamilton.Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that the lawyer acting for him has withdrawn from the case.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

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Alan McDonald, prosecuting, said Evans had contacted South Lanarkshire Council to complain about "violence from a neighbour" and seek new accommodation.

On the morning of the fire he went to a housing office in Hamilton but was asked to return at 2pm.Mr McDonald told the court: "Around 11.30am the accused was seen by a neighbour in George Court."Ten minutes later the smoke alarm in the accused's flat could be heard."Two British Transport Police officers were on patrol and noted thick smoke coming from the first floor flat."There are 11 flats in the block.