Carrbridge neighbour row led to fire-raising in garden

A woman set fire to her neighbours’ fence after a long-running dispute.

Carrie-Ann Clark (45) started the blaze in the garden of Orchid Place, Carrbridge, before shouting at her neighbours.

Fiscal depute Anna Boyle told Sheriff Robert Frazer at Inverness Sheriff Court: “There had been a long-standing dispute with the neighbours and they were in a semi-detached property.

“The neighbours had erected a wooden fence between the rear gardens.

“At around 5.20pm, one of the neighbours heard a crackling and saw the fence was on fire.

“While waiting for the fire services, the neighbour saw Clark standing at her bedroom window.

“Clark then began shouting and swearing as the neighbours attempted to douse the fire.

“Clark shouted ‘come on, then meet me outside’ and continued to shout at them.

“The fire services arrived alongside the police and observed a white container of paint beside the fence which had not been there before, which Clark had also thrown at the fence.

“She had taken a quantity of medication.”

Clark, of David Finlay VC Place, St Andrews, pleaded guilty to wilful fire raising and threatening or abusive behaviour.

Sheriff Frazer ordered her to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work with two years supervision.

Sheriff Frazer said: “You should be fortunate it was not worse.”

Clark’s defence solicitor said: “She has a lengthy history of mental and physical health issues. She has not come to the attention of the authorities since the incident and has now moved to a new address.”