A MAN who went on a “rampage” that involved torching a car in the early hours of the morning has been locked up for more than four years.

William Smith roamed suburban streets breaking into cars or stabbing tyres with a knife.

His movements, including setting fire to a Ford Focus parked outside its owner’s home, were caught on CCTV.

Smith, who appeared at Bradford Crown Court via video link from HMP Leeds, had previously pleaded guilty to a long list of charges that included arson, criminal damage, theft, vehicle interference, and possession of a knife.

Prosecutor Lydia Pearce said 13 of 17 offences were committed on August 2 last year when 22-year-old Smith was filmed roaming around West Vale and Elland.

From just after 1am to around 2.20am Smith targeted more than half a dozen vehicles in Feather Bed Close, Hullenedge Road, Hullenedge Gardens, and Hullen Road.

The court heard that the owner of the Ford Focus was wakened at around 1.45am by the sound of a car horn.

Miss Pearce said: “On looking outside she saw her car was on fire, and other neighbours were moving their vehicles away from the fire. The fire brigade attended to extinguish it, but the car was burnt out.”

Further CCTV footage showed a man later identified as Smith stabbing car tyres and hacking with a large knife at the doorbell of a house.

He also hurled plant pots at the back door of another house.

Interviewed by police on August 15 and shown the CCTV footage Smith, formerly of Little Bradley, Halifax, answered “no comment” to all questions.

On October 25 Smith burgled a house in Akroyd Terrace in Halifax and stole the keys to a Range Rover, which he then drove off in. The car was found abandoned later that day.

The following month Smith broke into more cars and a shed. He was again caught on CCTV and identified by police.

He was wearing the same clothing when arrested.

Mitigating for Smith, Nicola Hoskins said he was “a troubled young man” whose only supportive relative was his grandmother. She said Smith’s problems were exacerbated by not taking medication for schizophrenia.

She said Smith was “in a dark place” at the time he committed the offences and had “lost his head”.

When shown CCTV footage he later said: “That’s me. I can’t believe I did that.”

Sentencing Smith to a total of four years and three months in prison, His Honour Judge Colin Burn said Smith accepted that drugs and alcohol had a very serious effect on his behaviour.

He added: “There’s no doubt that’s what was going on on the second of August when you went on the rampage.

“There’s no other word that can properly be used. The destruction by fire of one car and puncturing people’s tyres causes every single person who was on the receiving end a lot of upset, probably anger, and inconvenience.”

He said there had to be an immediate custodial sentence and jailed Smith for 51 months.