A MAN has been jailed for causing more than £25,000 worth of damage to the flat where he lived after setting fire to it.

Paul Hindle, 43, deliberately started a fire in the bedroom of the housing association flat he lived in on Green Way, Glusburn, Keighley.

He lived in a first floor flat – one of four apartments within the same semi-detached property. 

Hindle was seen outside the flat when the emergency services arrived, with a bag packed with his belongings.

He was unsteady on his feet and slurring his speech, Bradford Crown Court heard on September 14.

Hindle, of no fixed address, had a pair of scissors in his hand and threatened to stab himself in the neck when approached outside the property by police officers at the scene. But the scissors were knocked out of Hindle’s hands and fell to the ground.

There were two seats of the fire within the bedroom and the blaze was contained by crews, after emergency services were called to the scene at just before 11pm on March 22 this year.

Hindle, who appeared for the sentencing hearing via video link from prison, was taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation after the incident, where he was described as difficult.

After starting the fire, Hindle called his housing association to tell them what he had done and warned a neighbour to get out of their flat.

He was arrested and he admitted the offence during a police interview.

The total damage caused to the flat by the fire was more than £25,800, Camille Morland, prosecuting, told the court.

Alasdair Campbell, mitigating, described the incident as a ‘cry for help’ from Hindle.

Mr Campbell added: “There were two seats of the fire. It does not appear there was an accelerant used in the fire.

“It is the first time in his life that he properly realises how alcohol has blighted his life.

“Managing his alcohol and coming off drugs is the best way he can prevent further offending.”

Hindle was jailed for three years four months for a charge of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

Recorder Gavin Doig told Hindle: “You could not recall how you started the fire.

“This offence has not come out of the blue. You have a long-standing issue with alcohol.”

“At 43, it is not too late for you to turn things around.”

 

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