Violent fireraiser jailed for 11 years after Borders crime spree

A man who assaulted three men and started a fire at a block of flats during a crime spree in the Borders has been jailed for 11 years.

Shane Donnelly, 27, carried out the crimes during a spate of lawlessness in St Boswells, Galashiels and Hawick in October and November last year.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Ross said his behaviour was "deliberate and vicious" and included carrying out "hits" for drug dealers.

Donnelly has more than 50 previous convictions in Scotland and England, including crimes of violence, disorder and arson.

His crime spree began when he launched an attack on a stranger at a bus stance in St Boswells on 4 October, and fractured his jaw.

Advocate depute Kirsten Cockburn said Donnelly approached a 22-year-old man at the bus stop and asked: "Are you selling?"

Cockburn told the court: "The victim said he was not selling anything and Donnelly responded: 'Are you sure you are not selling anything?'

The victim said he was waiting for his sister and Donnelly punched him on the head, before another male told him: "Mate, if I was you I'd run."

The victim later had to have surgery to a fractured jaw.

Lady Ross said it was "a shameful and brutal" attack.

At an earlier court hearing, Donnelly admitted assaulting the man to his severe injury and impairment.

On the same day as the bus stance attack, Donnelly went to a takeaway restaurant in Galashiels and threatened the owner.

The court heard that he said: "If anyone contacted the police, stop. They won't find out where I am. I will come back and ruin your shop and ruin lives. I have just dealt with one person and I'll deal with you next."

He then went to Indigo nightclub in Galashiels and threatened to stab two door staff.

Donnelly admitted behaving in a threatening way at the nightclub and the takeaway.

Four days later, on 8 October, an HGV driver spotted him in dark clothing with a hood and face covering, near a block of flats in Galalaw Road, Hawick.

The advocate depute said the lorry driver noted Donnelly and his accomplice looked "panic-stricken, with a line of fire going in multiple directions from the block of flats".

Firefighters attended and it was discovered that the fire was started by pouring accelerant through windows. Residents had to be evacuated from their homes.

Donnelly pleaded guilty to wilfully setting fire to windows and a door at the flats in Hawick while acting with another.

On 10 October, Donnelly was among a group who confronted a man at his front door in Glendinning Terrace in Galashiels.

The court heard that the man was punched in the face, dragged through to the living room, placed in a choke hold and forced to his knees.

A piano stool was smashed across his back and he was struck on the arms and head with a Stanley knife.

A second resident of the property was struck with a knife and kicked down stairs. The intruders left after robbing the victims of a phone, bank cards and a pair of trainers.

Donnelly admitted assaulting the men to their severe injury and permanent disfigurement and robbing them, while acting with others.

Then on 6 November, Donnelly arrived at the home of a couple in Selkirk and claimed their son was "due a lot of money to two dealers in Ireland".

The prosecutor said: "He went on to state that they were coming over at the weekend to 'collect' the outstanding debt of £2,000. The accused then showed a picture of a male who had been 'sliced up' for not paying a debt."

Donnelly admitted behaving in a threatening manner.

He also admitted driving a van at a Morrison's petrol station in Mart Street, Hawick, on 7 October while disqualified from holding a licence.

Defence counsel Victoria Dow said: "He had, in the lead up to the offences, been suffering a significant deterioration in his mental health."

Lady Ross ordered that Donnelly should be under supervision in the community for a further four years when he will be on licence and can be returned to prison if he breaches its conditions.

He was also banned from driving for three years.