A lorry driver cheated death by just two minutes after waking up to a massive explosion before quickly leaping out of his cab after a fire-obsessed arsonist set it alight.
Jacob Cooper, who was branded “dangerous” in court had a “fascination with fire” and loved to watch flames as a “comfort” when he was under stress.
Julia Baggs, prosecuting, said that a lorry driver was sleeping in his lorry parked, when at 12.40am, he heard an explosion.
The driver's trailer was on fire and he quickly put some clothes on and jumped out of the cab, which was a blaze.
“He felt very lucky that he got out in time and he dreaded to think what would have happened if he had not got out when he did,” said Miss Baggs, at Hull Crown Court.
Not far from the Aldi car park in Swinemoor Lane, Beverley, where Cooper had targeted the HGV, at 12.55am, a second van went up in flames near Phoenix House in Grovehill Road, Beverley, after Cooper set fire to it.
Surrounding buildings and fencing were also damaged, according to Hull Live.
Local residents were disturbed by the noise and Cooper was seen walking along Holme Church Lane, Beverley, near a petrol station.
A photograph of Cooper was taken by a member of the public and given to the police.
Good quality CCTV from the petrol station was taken and a police officer recognised Cooper.
Cooper saw it and contacted the police.
He was traced from his mobile phone details and he was arrested at Minster Garth Guest House on September 18. He said: “Arson. I can’t believe this.”
Cooper, who had been living at Minster Garth Guest House, Beverley, admitted arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and another arson on September 8.
He also admitted damaging a police cell on September 19 and a separate offence of causing grievous bodily harm on June 1, 2020.
In the earlier separate grievous bodily harm incident, Cooper was in High Down Prison, Surrey, and was sharing a cell with another prisoner.
He did not want to share and filled a kettle, boiled it, kept the button down and threw the boiling water in the face of the other prisoner, who was sitting on his bunk bed.
Cooper was agitated and aggressive with prison officers but quick action from them meant that the burns were not serious.
“There was scalding to the face and neck,” said Miss Baggs.
Cooper had convictions for 25 previous offences, including assault, criminal damage, dishonesty, burglary and possessing cannabis.
Steven Garth, mitigating, said that the arson was a “most disturbing” case with “many worrying aspects”.
Cooper came to Beverley from the south two months before the arson and booked into Minster Garth Guest House.
“It’s clear that he made himself very useful and even gained employment,” said Mr Garth.
“He was pleased with that and was encouraged that he was going to make something of his life.”
At the time of his arrest, Cooper, a long-time cannabis user, was working as a handyman and manager at the guest house.
On the night of the arson, Cooper went out drinking heavily, went for a walk, called at a petrol station to buy cigarettes, continued walking and started the “shocking” fire.
“The lorry driver could have been seriously injured or worse,” said Mr Garth.
“He appears to have something of a fascination with fire. He appears to find fire a comfort when he is in a state of distress.
“The defendant likes to watch fire. Clearly, these are matters of great concern.”
Judge Sophie McKone said of the lorry driver: “Thankfully, he was awoken by the sound of an explosion.
“Had he not been awoken by that, it’s not difficult to envisage what would have happened. He would have died. He jumped out of his cab.
“He considers himself very lucky that he got out in time and he was very lucky.
“He lost his van, his livelihood and it must have been a very frightening experience for him.”
Cooper “cynically” contacted the police after seeing his picture on Hull Live and pretended that he had just been walking down the street and asked them to “please take the picture down” - knowing all along that he had done it.
The boiling kettle incident was using the boiling water as a “very dangerous weapon” in the cell.
“That was an incredibly dangerous thing to do,” said Judge McKone.
“You could have blinded him and caused a much more serious injury. You are dangerous.”
Cooper was jailed for six years and eight months. He will be on extended licence of two years after his release from prison.
As he left the dock, Cooper grinned broadly and laughed.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
