'I thought I would start a little fire - it would cause a bit of damage and I would get a move quicker.'
A judge heard how 15 other families were forced out of their homes due to the damage Saddiqui caused.
He told jurors his plan of starting a"little fire" hoping to then get shifted to a nearby sheltered housing complex was a"ridiculous idea".Former airline worker Saddiqui had stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of murder.He was still warned he faces a lengthy sentence when he returns to the dock next month.He claimed he latterly tried his housing association to get a move.
His KC Ronnie Renucci put to him:"Did you think it would be better in the sheltered housing due to the community aspect?"Mr Renucci asked:"Did you do something about not hearing from the housing association?" Saddiqui said:"I thought I would start a little fire - it would cause a bit of damage and I would get a move quicker."
He claimed he wanted to let a bundle of paper in his living room"burn a bit" then he would put it out.He initially tried to quell it with buckets of water before deciding to escape.Saddiqui decided to go to a local shop and did not dial 999 as he was now"in a bit of trouble" and"afraid".It was the headteacher of a nearby primary school and others who helped raise the alarm.
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