Police investigating an incident that left a homeless man with serious burns have said he was set on fire and that a man is now in custody.
James Shaw, 34, suffered severe burns to his legs in the Tower Court area of Nairn on Tuesday night.
Police confirmed that they have detained a man in his 20s in connection with what they described as a “serious assault”.
And a spokesman said that high visibility patrols have been increased in the Nairn area to provide reassurance to members of the public.
Mr Shaw was initially taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness before being transferred to the specialist serious burns unit at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.
A police spokesman said last night that Mr Shaw is in a stable condition in hospital.
He said: “As part of ongoing inquiries into a reported serious assault in Nairn where a 34-year-old man received burns to his lower body, we can confirm that a man in his 20s is currently in custody in connection with the incident.
“The injured man remains at St. John’s Hospital in Livingston, where he is reported to be in a stable condition.”
Police have confirmed that they believe that the assault was deliberate although investigations are continuing.
It is understood that the victim was discovered alight by a member of the public at around 10.44pm on Tuesday.
Mr Shaw is unemployed and had recently moved into a room at Nairn’s Star Hostel, although he still sometimes slept rough in the town.
It is understood that he originally comes from Fife and has family in Glenrothes.
One of his regular haunts was the United Reform Church in the town’s King Street.
Minister the Rev Steven Manders described Mr Shaw as a “harmless soul”.
He said: “He still has his sleeping bag here in the doorway where he slept.
“He used to come in for coffee and biscuits. We saw him just the other day.
“He had moved into accommodation at the Star and was trying to make a go of it.”
Police officers have continued their appeal for witnesses and can be contacted on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.