Horror second military veteran throws Molotov cocktails to firebomb police station

Jamie Taylor, 34, admitted charges of explosive substances and endangering life after throwing petrol bombs at Livingston Police Station in Scotland

A British Army veteran who hurled Molotov cocktails at a police station after his criminal history was exposed has been sentenced to three years behind bars.

Jamie Taylor had previously pleaded guilty to two charges concerning explosive substances and endangering life, plus culpable and wilful conduct.

The court was told the 34-year-old sufferers from complex post-traumatic stress disorder following his deployment in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Taylor, who has 11 prior convictions, travelled by taxi to Livingston Police Station on May 30, 2025, carrying four vodka bottles packed with petrol.

He ignited one and launched it at five marked police vehicles stationed outside, reports the Daily Record.

Following the petrol bomb’s detonation, he lobbed another explosive device, forcing PC Kirsty Forsyth to dash forward to douse the flames.

Taylor then set alight a third petrol bomb and flung it, creating flames that soared above PC Forsyth’s head, the court was told.

He entered guilty pleas in November at Edinburgh’s High Court and received his sentence on today (January 13) at Stirling’s High Court.

Taylor confessed to one charge of triggering an explosion likely to endanger life or inflict serious property damage, plus another charge of “culpably and recklessly” lobbing a petrol bomb towards PC Forsyth, which “exploded to the danger of her life”.

Judge Lady Ross handed Taylor a three-year and six-month prison term, alongside a 12-month supervision order.

She told him: “Even though you were not aiming at her, you put PC Forsyth’s life in danger. This was obviously dangerous and criminally stupid. You had a sense of grievance against police to do with another individual.

“The police is not a faceless organisation, it is made up of responsible people who run towards danger.”

She continued: “You were a soldier for eight years and experienced serious trauma..

“You have complex PTSD. You understand what you did was wrong.

“You have made progress in prison and have the support of your mother.

“The seriousness of offending means there is no alternative to custody. It is very plain you need help, you need supervision and sustained care.”

Defence counsel Iain McSporran KC argued that Taylor was unaware that PC Forsyth and her colleague were present, and that it wasn’t an assault or “targeted attack”.

He explained that Taylor had “self-discharged from the army after his last tour of Afghanistan”, and while serving had witnessed “a close friend dying” from an explosive device.

Mr McSporran said of Taylor: “He has a criminal record, he has served his country, and suffered the consequences of serving his country.

“His life came crashing down when he was about to move in with his partner… he lost that as result of his criminal record and he also lost his job.

“He thinks he might have been expecting police would kill him. He has been vague about his motivations.

“This was a reaction about police informing his partner, I think he will have to accept this was motivation or provocation for his behaviour.”

He further stated: “Were it not for his mental health issues, this offence would never have happened.”

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