A Rosyth man who caused a major gas scare in his street resulting in neighbours feeling sick and having to leave their homes has avoided a jail sentence.
Six homes were evacuated because of the risk of a gas explosion following the actions of Michael Reddie.
Reddie, 48, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
He admitted that on January 24 at Selvage Street, Rosyth, he culpably and recklessly loosened a nut on a gas valve, causing gas to escape, causing danger to people and causing the danger of explosion.
Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a community payback order with supervision and mental health treatment.
After a resident raised the alarm, emergency services raced to the scene on a Sunday evening with firefighters breaking windows and doors to let air into Reddie’s house.
Neighbours were shocked and some were in tears after being told to leave the street because it was not safe to remain.
The street was cordoned off and other neighbours still in their homes were advised to move away from their windows as a precaution while the necessary work was carried out.
Gas engineers turned off the supply and residents were allowed back in after the all-clear was given around 11pm.
People in the street had been smelling gas during the day and some had started feeling sick from the odour.
After a gas engineer arrived and carried out tests, one woman had to leave her home immediately with her two kids and the family pets.
