Ex-soldier caught on CCTV in police station petrol bomb attack

A former solider has admitted endangering a police officer's life in a petrol bomb attack at a police station.

Jamie Taylor, 34, hurled three molotov cocktails at police vans parked outside the building in Livingston, West Lothian, on 30 May.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Taylor, from Bo'ness, had told his mother "he was going to blow up Livingston Police station".

CCTV footage showed the bombs burst on the ground, with one narrowly missing PC Kirsty Forsyth who ran outside to tackle the flames with a fire extinguisher.

The court heard that Taylor had eight previous convictions and was staying temporarily with his mother at the time of the incident.

Prosecutor Wojciech Jajdelski said that on the day of the attack, Taylor had phoned her to say he had a "bag full of vodka bottles filled with petrol".

Jamie Taylor claimed he was going to "blow up" the police station

CCTV cameras near the police station captured the moment a hooded Taylor started throwing the petrol bombs.

The court saw footage of PC Forsyth come out of the station with a fire extinguisher. Taylor's third petrol bomb burst at her feet before she ran from the scene.

PC Forsyth's colleagues chased Taylor who was caught a short while later nearby.

The court heard he was found lying on the ground next to a bush smelling strongly of fuel.

Defence solicitor advocate Iain McSporran KC said his client had serious mental health issues which were partly associated with his former army career.

Mr McSporran also praised PC Forsyth's actions.

He added: "She seemed to remain extremely cool in the circumstances."

'Clearly dangerous'

Taylor pleaded guilty to breaching the 1883 Explosives Act and of "culpably and recklessly" throwing a petrol bomb at PC Kirsty Forsyth.

Judge Lady Ross said: "This was clearly a dangerous thing to do."

Police Scotland inspector Lindsey McIntyre said it was a "totally reckless act" that endangered the lives of all officers and staff in the station.

She said: "Thankfully, no one was injured, but the outcome of the incident could have been far worse.

"Every officer has the fundamental right to come home from each shift unharmed, and no one should be targeted in this way."

Taylor will be sentenced at the High Court in Stirling in January.