A man who set fire to a busy club during the Bradford riots three years ago, endangering the lives of 23 people, has failed in an Appeal Court bid to win his freedom.

Mohammed Ilyas, 49, flung the missile through the window of Manningham Ward Labour Club as the riots raged on the night of July 28, 2001. Ilyas was convicted of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered at Bradford Crown Court on July 3 last year. He was jailed for 12 years.

Mrs Justice Hallett, sitting at London's Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday, dismissed his bid to appeal against conviction and refused to shorten his sentence - causing one member of Ilyas's family to collapse in a wild sobbing fit outside court.

The judge, sitting with Mr Justice Treacy and Lord Justice Judge, told the court how 23 people were trapped inside the social club when Ilyas tried first to set the curtains on fire and, when that failed, hurled a burning object through a window.

"He did all that he could to put the lives of 23 people and their rescuers at risk and he continued in his efforts to set fire to the club when it was obvious to all those present that there were still people trapped inside," the judge said.

"He was astonishingly reckless as to the effect of his actions on innocent people and it was pure luck that no one was killed.

"I cannot imagine the terror they must have felt trapped inside."

Ilyas's appeal against conviction was based on conflicting opinions from experts regarding the reliability of CCTV footage used to identify him as the firestarter. But the judge, refusing permission to appeal, said: "Experts often disagree about evidence.

"Luckily in this country we have trial by jury, not trial by experts, and the jury decided that the evidence before them was reliable."

Also dismissing his appeal against sentence, the judge concluded: "This was one of the worst incidents of these riots which were a dreadful display of public disorder, among the worst this country has ever seen.

"Twelve years is a severe sentence, but no doubt the judge intended to deter others from committing such offences."

The court was packed with family and supporters of Ilyas, of Prospect Road, Wapping, Bradford.

Following the decision one man was taken by a sobbing fit and had to be given medical attention by security staff.