Man jailed for throwing homemade petrol bomb
- Published
Joseph Haughian was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh
A man who threw a petrol bomb at an Edinburgh family home to "scare" a man has been jailed for five years.
Joseph Haughian, 38, threw the weapon at Lewis Gosman and struck a window in the Moredun area on 2 February 2021.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard Haughian made a "determined effort" to gain entry and terrorised the family.
He was originally charged with attempted murder but was found guilty of assault to the danger of life.
Haughian, of Edinburgh, was also convicted of making or possessing the incendiary device and of using threatening or abusive behaviour by attempting to open a window at the house, kicking a door and attempting to enter the property.
The court heard Mr Gosman, then 28, came under attack by Haughian after pulling up at the driveway of the house.
Haughian chased after him, lit a wick in a coffee jar containing accelerant, screws and nails, and threw the lit device.
Mr Gosman told the court he was chased around the car and added: "When you see someone coming towards you with a flame in their hand you can move pretty fast."
When Mr Gosman ducked, it hit a window and exploded.
In sentencing, Judge Lord Harrower described it as a "planned" attack and said: "You ran off when you realised the police were coming and hid from them for a couple of days."
He was later traced to the city's Oxgangs area.
Lord Harrower said Haughian had a long-standing diagnosis of bipolar disorder and added: "I have no difficulty believing you when you say you regret your actions."
But he said that it was obvious to him that there were occasions when he chose not to remember.
Haughian told the court he went to the house with the jar but said "it was just to scare him".
He said he was in a manic state at the time and that it was "out of character for me".
Defending Haughian, Solicitor Advocate Gordon Martin said: "He has a history of mental health difficulties. He does not have a good explanation for his involvement in these matters."
Mr Martin said Haughian was assessed as posing a low risk of reoffending, and added: "This is clearly the most serious matter he has ever been involved in before any court."