An arsonist poured accelerant through the letterbox of his mum's flat, forcing her and another woman to be evacuated wearing "smoke hoods" to help them breathe. William Richardson, 34, of Garratt Avenue, Mansfield, committed the arson on a reckless basis, Nottingham Crown Court heard, as he was jailed.
Richardson, who had significant problems with alcohol and substance misuse, had a flat on the ground floor and his mum lived upstairs in a flat. The only point of exit for her was through a separate door downstairs.
"The letterbox to the upstairs flat was set alight," said Stefan Fox, prosecuting, on Thursday (February 2). Firefighters and police attended but Richardson initially claimed a balaclava-wearing man came to the property and started the fire.
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Meanwhile, his mum shouted to police she could not get out - and she was given advice on what to do. Firefighters wearing breathing gear found Mrs Richardson and the other lady and helped them out in "smoke hoods". A bottle of white spirit, bearing William Richardson's DNA, was recovered from grassland opposite the property.
He was arrested and interviewed and had denied starting the fire. But a transcript of a telephone call from prison revealed Richardson was recorded speaking about the fire and "it was only the letterbox".
The damage was £2,738 to the local authority flat of his mum's and the repair length was between three to six months. The flat could not be lived in.
Simon Eckersley, mitigating, said: "She said her son, at the time, was struggling with his emotions". Judge James Sampson read a psychiatric report on Richardson and a letter "which demonstrates, I hope, some meaningful insight into your behaviour".
"It is clear that you had a troubled life. You had a troubled upbringing, that is an understatement, and I accept you are emotionally vulnerable". Richardson was sentenced overall to three years and nine months.
He pleaded guilty to reckless arson, and further offences of having a blade article, possessing amphetamine, assault, and using abusive words and behaviour.
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