JOSH NEIL FROM EDINBURGH SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR FIRE ATTACKS ON PENICUIK HOMES
A notorious sex offender from Edinburgh has been handed a lengthy prison sentence of nine years after orchestrating a series of dangerous fire attacks targeting homes in Penicuik, Midlothian.These malicious acts were carried out in an attempt to intimidate potential witnesses involved in his upcoming court proceedings.
Josh Neil, aged 25, was found to have enlisted the help of two men from Aberdeen, Stephen Barry and Ty Hyland, to carry out these violent acts while Neil was incarcerated.
The men were tasked with terrorizing a family by setting fire to the doors of their residences, with Neil promising payment if they could provide video evidence of the attacks.
The plan was executed across four separate incidents in the town, with two of these attacks posing a significant risk to the lives of young children who were present inside the targeted homes.
The motivation behind these attacks was linked to allegations made by a mother against a man, which included serious physical and sexual accusations.
Neil’s involvement in the criminal activities was confirmed through court proceedings, revealing that he coordinated these acts while detained in Peterhead’s HMP Grampian and Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow.
The attacks took place in November 2022 and May 2023, with Neil admitting to his role in the crimes.
In addition to the fire-setting, Neil also pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in November 2022, when he and others poured an accelerant over the door of a house, further demonstrating his willingness to engage in violent and disruptive behavior.
Neil is currently serving a sentence for serious abuse committed against a woman, with his earliest possible release date set for December 2027.
Despite this, he was brought before the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, where he received a further nine-year sentence for the fire-related offences.
The court’s decision means Neil will serve this new term consecutively after completing his current imprisonment.
Detective Sergeant Narelle Allan commented on the case, stating, “Josh Neil will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.
I hope his conviction and sentencing will bring justice to all involved, who have shown great strength in reporting what happened to them.”
