16-05-2025
Troubled Scots dad set his house on fire with son inside claiming ‘devil told him to'
It cost the housing association nearly 100k to fix the damage
BLAZE HORROR Troubled Scots dad set his house on fire with son inside claiming 'devil told him to'
A DAD who set his house on fire while his teenage son was inside claimed the devil told him to do it.
Alexander Reape, 43, caused more than £91,000 of damage at the property in Livingston, West Lothian, on December 19, 2023.
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Alexander Reape pleaded guilty to wilful fire raising at Glasgow High Court
Credit: Andrew Barr
He set fire to several rooms and later had to be pulled from the property by 18-year-old Alexander junior and their two neighbours.
Reape, of nearby Bathgate, initially faced a charge of attempted murder towards his son.
However, he pleaded guilty yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow to wilfully fire raising to the danger of life.
The court heard that Reape has a history of poor mental health and he failed to be admitted to hospital for his issues on the day of the fire which made him 'angry.'
He told a psychiatrist: 'The devil's voice is telling me to kill my family.'
Later that day, Reape and his son were alone in the property when the boy saw smoke coming from the crack in his bedroom door.
Prosecutor Vish Kathuria said: 'He noticed black smoke coming from the top of the stairs and his father who was holding a disposable lighter.'
The boy also seen smoke coming from other bedrooms in the property.
Mr Kathuria added: 'It appears Reape set fire to bedding in each bedroom.'
The teenager made efforts to grab his dad to get him outside but he resisted.
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Reape was eventually dragged out but returned to the property where he as noted to set alight a jacket and a set of blinds.
The teenager and two neighbours forced entry and pulled Reape from the house again.
Reape was placed under arrest and told officers: 'The devil's voice told me to do it.'
The teenager meantime was stated to be crying hysterically and was covered in smoke.
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Alexander Reape at the High Court in Glasgow where he pled guilty to setting fire to the house in Livingston
Credit: Spindrift
Reape was assessed again by a psychiatrist who deemed that he was 'aware of his actions and consequences and would receive prison time.'
The bill for the damage - footed by a housing association - was £91,368 which took 10 months to repair.
Jonathan Crowe, defending, told the court: 'He was having problems with his mental health.
"He sought help and he did not receive it.
'He is under no illusions that what he pleaded guilty to will attract custody and he is extremely anxious.'
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Tom Hughes who granted Reape bail meantime.
