Brothers who set house fire that killed three ‘beloved’ cats are arrested

A brother and sister who set a house fire that killed a man’s three beloved cats have been jailed for 21 months each. Aaron Forbes, 32, and Amanda Forbes, 34, started the blaze in Robroyston, Glasgow, on February 28, 2022.

There was said to be bad blood between Aaron and the home’s owner, Gregor Jamieson. Aaron had previously lived there in the four-bedroom property.

The brothers set fire to furniture while mechanic Mr Jamieson, 52, was at work and stole a safe. Three of his four one-year-old Bengal cats died in the blaze.

An emotional Mr Jamieson told jurors: “They were, in fact, like my children and it is sickening that they should be removed from this planet in such a traumatic way.”

The Forbeses were both convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court of arson. They were also found guilty of breaking into Mr Jamieson’s home and stealing.

Sheriff Gerard Bonnar told them today: “You have been convicted of a very serious crime: setting fire to a house, causing significant damage and the death of three beloved pet cats.

“The motive on Aaron Forbes’ part appears to have been revenge and this was supported by his sister. She supported this revenge acting on his instructions.

“The seriousness of the offences means there is no alternative to custody that is suitable or appropriate.” Mr Jamieson recalled how he met Aaron Forbes online 10 years ago and how they lived together for four years.

He said Aaron later moved out of the house he shared with a college professor and another man two weeks before the incident.

Mr Jamieson told the court how he let all four pets out before he went to work. Mr Jamieson said: “Over the course of the morning three of them came back inside.

“I thought that was good because I didn’t want them to leave. Little did I know it was a death sentence for them to be back in the house.” The witness told the court that she later received a phone call from a neighbour saying her house was on fire.

Mr Jamieson said: “She told me not to worry as the firefighters were there. I had no idea of ​​the devastation that was to come.”

He drove home and spoke to a firefighter at the scene. Mr Jamieson recalled: “The first thing I said to him was there were three cats in there.

“All he did with his hands was show that the cats were dead.” The witness said it was described as a cruel action being taken. Mr Jamieson went on to tell Detective Ryan Watson: “If the three of them hadn’t gone in, they would have been spared.

“One did not come back. She was spared and is still with us. I am guilty of talking about cats as if they were people. As a cat lover, that is how I feel.” The witness stated that she was not allowed to return home for 12 hours.

CCTV from a neighbouring property on the day of the incident was shown to the court of a silver car driven by Aaron near Mr Jamieson’s home. Two people dressed in black – one of whom was identified as Amanda Forbes – were also seen.

Linzi McQuade, defending Aaron, of Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, said at sentencing that a “degree of immaturity and vulnerability” had played a part in the offences.

Defence solicitor Gemma Elder, representing mother-of-three Amanda, from Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, said her client was “capable of change”.

Don’t miss out on the latest news from Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.