Domestic abuser jailed over Musselburgh flat fire that trapped woman and child
A domestic abuser who deliberately started a fire at his former partner's home in Musselburgh while she and a five-year-old child were inside has been jailed for seven years.
Craig Higgs, 37, set fire to a barbecue, a bag of coal and other items in the communal stairwell of a block of flats in Bellfield Court on 20 April 2022.
His former partner and the young child became trapped inside their flat as thick smoke filled the building, with firefighters forcing entry using an enforcer and an axe before rescuing them.
Several other residents were also unable to leave the building until crews brought the blaze under control.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at 8.43pm, just seven minutes after CCTV captured Higgs leaving the area.
During his trial, footage shown to the High Court in Edinburgh placed Higgs near the property shortly before the fire started.
He was arrested around three hours later and was found carrying a lighter. Witnesses also reported seeing a man matching his description near the scene.
The fire caused significant damage to the communal stairwell and several flats.
Higgs was found guilty of wilful fire-raising to danger of life. He had earlier admitted two charges of threatening or abusive behaviour aggravated by domestic abuse.
As well as being jailed for seven years, Higgs was given an indefinite non-harassment order banning him from contacting his former partner.