A Scots man who set a fire that "almost completely destroyed" an historic church and endangered the life of an elderly nun was warned today that he faces an extended jail term.
Ryan Haggerty sparked an inferno at St Simon's Church, Partick - the third oldest Catholic church in Glasgow.
The blaze was visible for miles and spread to the adjoining presbytery where the nun lived.
A court heard it cost take "several millions" of pounds to restore the nineteenth-century building.
Homeless Haggerty, 25, was seen nearby, covered in soot.
Haggerty appeared for sentence at the High Court in Stirling, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to wilful fire-raising to the danger of life.
The court heard, however, that a psychiatric report had indicated his "level of maturity" was an issue, though he was not suffering from any mental disorder.
Euan Dow, defending, said the report revealed that "multiple adverse childhood experiences" had affected Haggerty's personality and behaviour, and he had a history of chronic poly-substance misuse.
Judge Lady Scott said that she wanted "as full a picture as possible" of Haggerty before sentencing, and adjourned the case to September 7th at the High Court in Edinburgh for the preparation of a medical report.
She said: "I am thinking, of course, of an extended sentence".
Haggerty lived in homeless persons' accommodation close to St Simon's at the time.
A series of 999 calls were received around 2.30 am on July 28th 2021, after it was discovered the church, built in 1858, was alight.
Investigators believe the fire was started in the main chapel area with no evidence of any accelerant being used.
But little can be ascertained precisely how it started and where the seat of the fire was.
Eilidh Robertson, the advocate depute, said Haggerty had "deliberately" started the fire.
It took no more than ten minutes from the blaze being ignited to it engulfing the building, which was almost completely destroyed, with only its external walls in place.
Ms Robertson said "The fire was well developed and visible from several miles away.
"It was obvious the church was not salvageable."
In the presbytery next door, Sister Mary Ross, 79, was awoken by the blaze.
She managed to escape and was helped by fire crews, but at one stage collapsed on seeing the destruction.
Residents of nearby flats and student accommodation also had to be evacuated.
People who stayed with Haggerty at the homeless unit were on the street as well and noticed him coming from the direction of the church.
Ms Robertson said: "He had what looked like soot on his hands and face.
"They were suspicious he had started the fire and challenged him.
"He denied it although later stated, 'You all think I started that fire, don't you? Don't grass me in'."
Civil engineering work continues almost a year after the inferno.
Ms Robertson said: "If it were to be restored to its former construction, then the cost would be several millions."
The prosecutor said parish priest Canon Peter McBride described the impact of what happened as "terrible and heartbreaking".
Sister Ross said it was an "act of good fortune" that she got out when she did that morning.
She added: "I think there would have been a very good chance I could have got smoke inhalation when the fire happened and I did not wake up -- possibly worse."
The church had close links with the local Polish community dating back to World War Two.
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