FIRESTARTER WHO FORCED EVACUATION OF PERTH FLATS ‘LUCKY NOT TO BE FACING MURDER CHARGE’
Convicted sex offender Barry Thomas put residents' lives at risk when he started a fire in his flat at Parmelia Court on May 17 2025.Around 20 firefighters spent over two hours battling the blaze at the city centre property.
Residents were evacuated just after midnight as the four-storey block began filling with smoke.
Thomas was originally charged with wilful fireraisng but was found guilty of a lesser charge of culpable and reckless conduct after a trial at Perth Sheriff Court.
He was jailed for two years and will be subject to a supervised release order for nine months upon release.
The sheriff told Thomas that he was lucky not to face a murder charge, as the evidence showed he set fires that endangered residents.
He claimed to have found religion during remand and expressed a desire to restart his life.
However, the court emphasized the seriousness of his actions and the risk involved.
