Two teenagers who burned down a £300,000 house in an upmarket Aberdeen suburb have been locked up for 18 months each.
Lawyer Duncan Kerr and his wife Fiona Bentley-Kerr lost virtually all of their possessions in the blaze.
William Barron, 17, and a 15-year-boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted starting the fire.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that one of the boys, who had been drinking, had fallen out with the couple's daughter.
They admitted starting the fire in the five-bedroom house on 4 July last year.
The duo were then among the first on the scene at Baillieswells Drive, Bieldside, when the alarm was raised and watched the emergency services tackle the blaze.
Sheriff Colin Harris said there was no option but custody.
"We will rebuild the house and see how we feel about staying - it has been a difficult time"
Mr Kerr said afterwards: "I have got to be happy with the sheriff's decision.
"I am just glad that it's all over with."
Fiscal depute Karen Dow told the court that the family were away on the night of the fire.
Barron and the couple's daughter were friends but fell out when he got a new girlfriend.
Boys running
The boys got into the house in the early hours of the morning and were drinking, smoking and vandalising rooms before starting the fire.
The court was told that a neighbour raised the alarm after hearing noise and saw the teenagers outside "giggling in a very high-pitched way and running backwards and forwards".
The fiscal depute said: "The house was severely damaged by the fire. The insurers estimated it was cheaper to demolish the house and build a new one than attempt to rebuild it."
Barron later said curtains were set alight and the fire got out of control, but he did not try to put it out.
He said he had "something against" the couple's daughter.
Barron's defence lawyer Lynn Bentley said: "He was heavily under the influence of alcohol. He offers his unreserved apologies.
"He has been absolutely terrified of the prospect of going to custody."
Jim Hay, defending the younger boy, said: "He feels extreme remorse for what has happened, and has indicated that if he could turn the clock back he would."
Sheriff Colin Harris, ordering 18 months' detention for both boys, said: "I feel there is no other option but custody."
Mr Kerr, 38, his 32-year-old wife and their 15-year-old daughter have been living in temporary accommodation ever since - but plan to rebuild their home.
Mr Kerr added: "Everything was destroyed. We will rebuild the house and see how we feel about staying - it has been a difficult time."
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