Cat flap blaze: Court hears teenager set fire to cottage 'to get occupant's attention'

Author: Ally McGilvrayPublished 14th Jul 2025

A court's heard a teenager set fire to the back door of a cottage in the Scottish Borders - because she wanted to get the occupant's attention.

Hannah Ducker turned up at the address in Makerstoun, near Kelso, in the early hours of July the 29th last year.

She began by shining a torch inside and knocking on the property's windows. 

But, when she didn't get a response, she set fire to the cat flap - sending the smell of burning plastic and smoke through the property.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court today (Monday) heard when the occupants went to investigate they were met by flames, which were described as being "around two feet high".

They were able to put it out using a fire extinguisher, but the damage to the door was valued at around £200.

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Ducker, now aged 18 and living in Selkirk, pled guilty to a charge of wilful fireraising when she appeared in court this morning.

Sentence has been deferred until August 11th for background reports.

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