Brother and Sister Sentenced for Arson, Killing Man’s Beloved CatsBrother and Sister Sentenced for Arson, Killing Man’s Beloved Cats Aaron Forbes, 32, and Amanda Forbes, 34, have been imprisoned for 21 months for intentionally setting fire to a house, resulting in the tragic death of three beloved Bengal cats. The arson took place in Robroyston, Glasgow on February 28, 2022. The siblings reportedly targeted the four-bedroom house where Aaron had previously resided, driven by a hostile history with the owner. They broke into the home while he was at work and set furniture ablaze, before stealing a safe. The fire claimed the lives of three one-year-old cats, leaving a profound impact on the owner. “These were essentially my children,” he tearfully stated. “For them to be taken from this planet in such a traumatic way is disgusting.” During their trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Aaron Forbes was found guilty of arson with an apparent motive of revenge, while Amanda Forbes supported his actions. Sheriff Gerard Bonnar condemned the pair, emphasizing the severity of their crime. The siblings also faced charges of breaking into the home and theft. Aaron Forbes had moved out of the house two weeks prior to the incident, after living with the owner for four years. CCTV footage captured the presence of a silver car driven by Aaron near the property on the day of the arson. Two individuals in black were also spotted, with one identified as Amanda Forbes. In sentencing, Linzi McQuade, Aaron’s defense counsel, attributed his actions to “a degree of immaturity and vulnerability.” Gemma Elder, Amanda’s defense counsel, expressed her client’s potential for change. The tragedy has highlighted the devastating consequences of arson and the importance of protecting beloved companion animals. The owner’s profound grief over the loss of his cats is a testament to the emotional bond between humans and their pets.
A brother and sister who set fire to a house, killing a man’s three beloved cats, have both been sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Aaron Forbes, 32, and Amanda Forbes, 34, started the fire in Robroyston, Glasgow on February 28, 2022.
It was said that there was a hostile history between Aaron and the owner of the four-bedroom house where he previously lived.
The siblings set fire to furniture while the owner, a 52-year-old mechanic, was at work and stole a safe.
Three of his four one-year-old Bengal cats died in the fire.
The emotional homeowner told the jury: “These were essentially my children and for them to be taken from this planet in such a traumatic way is disgusting.”
The Forbes brothers were both convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court of arson.
They were also found guilty of breaking into the man’s home and theft.
Sheriff Gerard Bonnar told them: “You have been convicted of a very serious offence: setting fire to a house causing significant damage and the death of three beloved pet cats.
“Aaron Forbes’ motive appears to have been revenge and this was supported by his sister.
“She supported this act of revenge by acting on his instructions.
“The seriousness of the offences means that there is no appropriate or suitable alternative to detention.”
The man says he met Aaron Forbes online ten years ago and that they lived together for four years.
He said Aaron moved out of the home he shared with a university professor and another man two weeks before the incident.
The homeowner told the court he walked all four of his pets before going to work.
He said: “During the morning three of them came back in.
“I thought that was good because I didn’t want them to leave. I didn’t know that if they were back in the house it was a death sentence.”
The witness told the court that he later received a call from a neighbor reporting that his house was on fire.
He said: ‘She told me not to worry because the fire brigade were there.
“I had no idea of the devastation that was to come.”
He then told finance chief Ryan Watson: “If the three hadn’t come, they would have been spared.
“One never came 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, I feel that way too.”
The witness stated that he was not allowed to return home for 12 hours.
On the day of the incident, CCTV footage from a neighbouring property showed a silver car driven by Aaron near the man’s home.
Two individuals dressed in black were also spotted, one of whom was identified as Amanda Forbes.
Linzi McQuade, defending Aaron, from Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, said during sentencing that a “degree of immaturity and vulnerability” played a part in the offences.
Gemma Elder, defending mother-of-three Amanda, from Kirkintilloch, said her client was “capable of change”.
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