Man cut gas pipes and tried to blow up his neighbours

A man whose life "spiralled out of control" has admitted trying to murder his neighbours by causing a gas leak and starting a fire at his home.

Gary McIntyre, 31, cut open gas pipes and set fire to household items at the property in Watson Street, Cowdenbeath on 27, December 2024.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how emergency workers, including police, paramedics and firefighters, were called to the scene, but he barricaded himself inside and threw a fridge at police officers.

McIntyre, of now Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, pleaded guilty to a charge of wilfully setting fire to items in his house in order to cause and explosion .

The charge also stated that he barricaded the door to "prevent emergency services from entering" and his actions were all to the danger of others - and that he did "attempt to murder" them.

Prosecutor Naomei Warner told the court that McIntyre's former partner had spoken to him earlier in the day and was concerned by what he told her.

She said McIntyre was planning to end his life and he told her that he cut the gas pipes. She called the emergency services.

The advocate depute added: "He was crying, repeatedly apologising and saying that he couldn't deal with the pain."

The prosecutor went on to tell judge Norman McFadyen that McIntyre refused to co-operate with police officers who arrived at the scene. The court heard how he threw items - including a fridge - at them.

The prosecutor said this left officers unable to assess the extent of the leak.

She added: "A probe was placed through the letter box. The accused tried to pull it. In a normal situation, the reading is supposed to be zero parts of gas in one million parts of air.

"The readings which were taken were 750 parts of gas, 8,500 parts of gas and then 11,000 parts of gas per million.

"Due to these readings neighbours within the surrounding properties were evacuated."

Gas engineers became so concerned about the build up of gas, they cut and capped the mains pipe outside.

Warner said that McIntyre had appeared at the window of his home and threatened police officers who tried to come into his house.

The prosecutor added: "The accused told them 'if I'm dying, I'm taking one of you with me."

Later in the day, the emergency services saw a fire in the property. Firefighters were forced to break a window to drench it with water.

The court heard that McIntyre repeatedly refused to engage with police negotiators but was told firearms officers were coming to the scene.

He later surrendered and a gas explosion was avoided.

Defence solicitor advocate Gordon Martin KC told judge McFadyen that McIntyre had developed mental health problems in the time before the incident.

Martin added: "The accused was a self employed joiner. The police impounded his van and his tools were within the vehicle.

"The vehicle was then crushed as were his tools which in terms of value were in excess of £3,500.

"This created stresses within his life. His relationship with his partner ended and then life spiralled out of his control."

Martin said a former neighbour of McIntyre's had emailed his office on Wednesday evening and had spoken kindly of the accused, adding the neighbour "bears no grudges".

The judge deferred sentence until 19 March while a background report is prepared. McIntyre was in the meantime remanded in custody.