Petrol bomber left Greenock target's address in his sat-nav
- Published
McGhee's target Craig McFarlane was previously jailed for fire bomb attacks on several properties, including this one in Greenock
A petrol bomber helped get himself caught after the address of his target was found in his car's sat-nav system.
Colin McGhee, 28, carried out the attack at the flat of Craig McFarlane in Greenock, Inverclyde, on 28 September 2020.
McFarlane was himself heavily involved at that time in a series of fire bomb attacks against rivals in the town.
It later saw the 27-year-old and five associates jailed for a total of 64 years for a murder plot.
A judge heard plant machinery firm boss McGhee targeted McFarlane after he and others had taken an unwanted "interest" in his business.
McGhee pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to wilfully setting fire to the flat, endangering the lives of McFarlane and others living at the block.
He is due to be sentenced later this month.
The court had heard how McGhee had travelled from his home in Falkirk to Greenock in a sporty BMW Gran Coupe.
He and others initially pulled up outside the block in Kincaid Court at 21:52.
A petrol bomb was hurled at the flat - but failed to explode.
The car then raced off before returning at 22:08.
Craig McFarlane and five associates were jailed in 2022 for a total of 64 years
Prosecutor John McElroy KC told the court: "Two passengers and the driver exited and went to the flat. A rear passenger was seen to film events.
"The driver and front seat passenger smashed the window and poured an accelerant into the flat before setting it alight."
McFarlane returned home to discover the blaze. He banged on the doors of neighbours to alert them to evacuate.
Fire crews managed to put the blaze out but there was "extensive" smoke damage inside.
A brick and broken Irn Bru bottle were found on a bed and a lighter was found outside the property.
'Not my style'
The BMW was traced and found to be registered to McGhee's father, who bought it for his son.
McGhee was later held at the home he shared with his parents.
He insisted that the fire-bombing was "not my style" and that the number plates on his car had been "stolen".
Checks were then made on the BMW, including on the sat-nav.
Mr McElroy: "This examination revealed the address 'Greenock Kincaid Court' had been entered on the recent locations in the system."
A sim card embedded in the car also revealed the vehicle had travelled to the Inverclyde area that night.
McGhee, who had been on bail, was remanded in custody by judge Lord Scott.
Sentencing is due to take place on 30 November in Edinburgh.