A fire-raising lout torched his own car and then shopped himself to the police.
Thomas Daley, 24, set fire to his silver Vauxhall Corsa in the town’s Silk Street in the early hours of the morning while high on a cocktail of ecstasy, anti-depressants and alcohol.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Daley, dropped a rag in the petrol tank, then lit the rag, which he dumped on the passenger seat of the motor on March 2, 2018.
He then traipsed into the police station at Mill Street, where he reported there was a car on fire.
Procurator fiscal depute Susan Barr told the court: “The incident took place in the early hours of the morning and was captured on CCTV.
“The accused went to the uniform bar at Paisley police station at around 5.30am and stated there was a vehicle on fire in Silk Street.
“The fire brigade were contacted and they formed the view the fire had been set wilfully due to the fact the fuel cap had been removed and a rag had been set on fire.
“The main seat of the fire was the front passenger seat, but a variety of items had been used to ignite the fire.”
The court heard the blaze was extinguished and Daley, of Causeyside Street in the town, then went to the police station to report it.
The prosecutor added: “A review of CCTV showed the accused at the vehicle. He opened the petrol cap and opened the door and set fire within the vehicle.
“He then walked in the direction of the uniform bar at the police station, where he walks out of view of the camera.”
Daley pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful fire-raising when he appeared in the dock before Sheriff Suhkwinder Gill.
Defence agent Gemma Elder said her client “was significantly under the influence of substances” when he made the decision to torch the motor.
She added he was contemplating “self-harm” and “even hoped to be in the vehicle when it was
alight”.
She said: “Due to his state of intoxication, he was unsuccessful in his adventure.
“Conduct such as this is concerning, not just for the public at large, but also for his own well-being.”
Sheriff Gill showed mercy to first offender Daley, telling him, after reading background reports, that it was unlikely he would offend again.
She fined him £800, reduced from £1,000 because of his plea of guilty.
