A MAN who set fire to a Fife paper mill and one of Fife’s top hotels, causing damage estimated at £1.5 million, was jailed for 27 months at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Kenneth Henderson (22), of Julian Court, Glenrothes, admitted that on December 4, 2006 at Tullis Russell & Co Ltd, Markinch, he wilfully set fire to paper within the mill, causing extensive damage.

He further admitted that on December 20 he wilfully set fire to property within Balbirnie House Hotel, again causing extensive damage.

At a previous court appearance, Henderson stated he started the paper mill fire “on the spur of the moment.” Between 700 and 1000 rolls of paper valued at £500,000 were destroyed.

Regarding the hotel fire, he said he was angry at being dismissed from a job there and started the fire even though he was aware there were a large number of guests at a function.

Everyone had to be evacuated and while there were no injuries, the fire wrecked one room and badly damaged others.

Sheriff William Holligan said there was no alternative to a custodial sentence and backdated the jail term to May 3. Henderson was also told he would be placed on a supervisory order for nine months on his release.