Smoke bomb terror for OAP

Published on Wednesday 4 June 2008 14:27

AN elderly woman fled her home in terror after a teenager smashed a window and threw in a smoke bomb, filling her rooms with noxious gas.

Police and firefighters raced to the woman's South Queensferry home and had to evacuate her as the canister spewed smoke through the property.

Today, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Andrew Jardine, 17, admitted reckless and culpable behaviour, saying he had carried out the dangerous attack as "a prank".

The court heard how the elderly woman had been woken by her grandson who thought someone was breaking in when Jardine smashed a window with a brick.

But they were terrified when they heard a hiss like a gas leak and panicked thinking their home was ablaze.

Two fire engines and police officers raced to the house and helped the OAP to safety.

Fiscal depute John Kirk said: "Apart from the window, I would imagine there would be smoke damage to the house.

"But who knows how much two fire engines being called out would cost, or the cost if there had been a real emergency at the time."

Jardine's defence solicitor, Di Moore, claimed the teen had fallen into a bad crowd and was now hoping to start a media course at college.

Sheriff Katherine Mackie deferred sentence on Jardine, of Station View, South Queensferry, and issued a warrant for a co-accused man.