Man who set prison staff cars on fire on Christmas Day jailed

A man who set fire to cars belonging to prison staff at HMP Grampian in Peterhead on Christmas Day has been jailed.

Graeme Seivwright, 43, of Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, admitted involvement in the blaze on 25 December 2023.

Three vehicles had to be written off, and another three were damaged.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Seivwright was jailed for five years and three months.

The court heard he set fire to the cars after he became unable to pay off drug debts.

Seivwright acted under orders from the people he owed the money to.

Prosecutor David Logan had previously said prison officers had noticed a red glow coming from the car park and could smell smoke.

"Upon checking cameras, it was noted a car was on fire and two dark figures could be seen in the vicinity."

A total of eight vehicles had been parked in the area of the blaze.

Police went on to find a discarded bottle nearby which contained petrol.

They also picked up a bottle cap, which was later found to have Seivwright's DNA on it.

He admitted wilful fire-raising.

Defending, John Scullion KC said: "He was unable to pay debts he accrued from drugs and was instructed by those he owed money to carry out the attacks.

"He now regrets his actions."

Passing sentence, Lord Mulholland told the offender he had to go to prison for his crimes.

He said: "You have pled guilty to a charge of wilful firer raising which involved you travelling by car to HMP Grampian where you set fire to prison officers' cars, writing off three high-value cars.

"The total value of the damage is £44,846."

The judge told Seivwright: "This was a sinister crime against the very people, prison officers, tasked with executing the orders of the court.

"It was clearly intended to intimidate and send a message to the people who worked at the prison.

"Prison officers do a difficult job which is often undervalued, and the courts take a dim view of this type of criminal behaviour and lengthy sentences of imprisonment will be imposed as punishment and a deterrent."

He added: "You have an extensive criminal record which does you no credit."