Former caddy lit fires that caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to Championship course at Royal Dornoch
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A former caddy caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at Royal Dornoch Golf Club after "playing with fire".
Jamie Hook (23), of Morrison Court, Dornoch, set fires that destroyed thousands of square metres at the club's Championship course.
A nearby area of scrub land was also burnt.
Members of the public alerted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the early hours of May 17, 2020, to four areas of whins bushes going up in flames.
Hook, a former club member, appeared at Inverness Justice Centre today to admit two charges of culpable and reckless conduct by setting fires.
Fiscal depute David Barclay said: "The largest was 500 square metres and at 7am and 9am, it was noted other areas had also caught fire.
"A total of 5,611 square metres was damaged and 3941 square metres required to be removed and replanted.
"Extensive damage had been caused to the golf course, resulting in significant cost of repair amounting to thousands of pounds. Insurance cover is in place but there is a £10,000 excess."
Mr Barclay added: "Suspicion fell on the accused after he was identified from CCTV footage and by other walkers at or near the locations.
"Some described him as having two dogs with him. One witness had seen him that morning "flicking a lighter." He was arrested the following morning."
Hook later told police that he had been "playing with fire" but had no intention of burning anything down despite the fires spreading.
He also claimed to have been a member of the club since the age of eight, had last golfed there two months previously and worked as a caddy until September, 2019.
For almost two years, Hook - a smoker - has been banned by bail conditions not to enter the golf course or the other area of land near Elizabeth Crescent.
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald deferred sentence until August 15 for a background report and bail was continued.
