National Crime AgencyA man who set two properties on fire has been sentenced to jail after his encrypted phone messages revealed his crimes.
Lewis Connor used five jerry cans filled with petrol to substantially damage a house in Dennyloanhead, near Falkirk, which was undergoing restoration.
Two days later, a hair salon in Hamilton was set alight by two other men acting alongside Connor.
On Friday, the 27-year-old was sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court after being found guilty of two charges of wilful fireraising.
He was also convicted of a further charge of conspiring to set fire to various properties and vehicles in Falkirk, Airdrie, Blantyre and Glasgow.
An encrypted mobile message on a platform known as Encrochat, which the jury accepted was sent by Connor, said: “It was like Blackpool illuminations when I left.”
Sineidin Corrins, depute procurator fiscal for serious casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “These were highly dangerous crimes which caused widespread damage to private properties.
“Lewis Connor boasted of his exploits and enlisted others to carry out similar crimes on his behalf.
“But he will now pay for those crimes by serving a lengthy term of imprisonment.”
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