Anup Singh Padam intentionally ignited a blaze in his rented property managed by a housing association in Hamilton, rendering it completely uninhabitable.
A man responsible for setting his own house on fire, causing extensive damage estimated at £60,000, has avoided imprisonment.
Anup Singh Padam, aged 37, was responsible for starting a fire in a leased dwelling in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. When the fire services arrived in May 2023 to address the incident, they encountered Padam who was uncooperative and vague about the causes of the fire.
The firefighters encountered a strong odor of petrol permeating the house as they attempted to put out the fire amid dense, black smoke.
The firefighters were skeptical of Padam’s initial claim that the fire was caused by a chip pan, especially after he altered his explanation three times.
An investigation ensued and led to Padam’s arrest and subsequent charge. The investigation revealed that the fire originated from two separate spots in the kitchen, and there was no evidence of a chip pan being involved.
Despite denying any involvement, Padam faced trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court where the jury found him guilty of willful arson.
Sheriff Liam Murphy decided against a custodial sentence, opting instead to place Padam under a year-long curfew and supervision.
The court was informed by Clyde Valley Housing Association that the fire had left the property uninhabitable, with damages amounting to £60,000.
During his trial, Padam chose not to testify but attempted to implicate another individual in the crime.
Padam’s defense attorney, Diarmid Bruce, acknowledged the gravity of the conviction but pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, citing significant personal progress made by Padam since the incident. Bruce expressed hope that the court would consider alternatives to imprisonment.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp Community!
Become part of our WhatsApp community today to receive the latest news directly in your messages. This service provides daily updates on breaking news and major headlines throughout Scotland.
Community membership ensures privacy as others cannot see who has signed up and only the Daily Record team can send messages.
Signing up is easy—simply click here, select ‘Join Community’, and you’re set! Members also enjoy exclusive offers, promotions, and advertisements from our partners. Should you choose to leave, you can exit the group at any time.
For those interested, our Privacy Notice is available for review.
Sheriff Murphy, addressing Padam, stated, “The jury has convicted you of a serious offense, clearly believing you intentionally set fire to the property. Normally, such an offense would warrant imprisonment, but I will take the unusual step of imposing a community payback order instead.”
He further mentioned that his decision was influenced by Padam’s clean record since the incident.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
