Violent fireraiser jailed for 11 years after Borders crime spree

A man who assaulted three men and started a fire at a block of flats during a crime spree in the Borders has been jailed for 11 years.

Shane Donnelly, 27, carried out the crimes during a spate of lawlessness in St Boswells, Galashiels and Hawick in October and November last year.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Ross said his behaviour was “deliberate and vicious” and included carrying out “hits” for drug dealers.

Donnelly has more than 50 previous convictions in Scotland and England, including crimes of violence, disorder and arson.

His crime spree began when he launched an attack on a stranger at a bus stance in St Boswells on 4 October, and fractured his jaw.

Advocate depute Kirsten Cockburn said Donnelly approached a 22-year-old man at the bus stop and asked: “Are you selling?”

Cockburn told the court: “The victim said he was not selling anything and Donnelly responded: ‘Are you sure you are not selling anything?’

The victim said he was waiting for his sister and Donnelly punched him on the head, before another male told him: “Mate, if I was you I’d run.”

The victim later had to have surgery to a fractured jaw.

Lady Ross said it was “a shameful and brutal” attack.

At an earlier court hearing, Donnelly admitted assaulting the man to his severe injury and impairment.