Shrewsbury arsonist jailed for six years
An arsonist has been jailed for six years after starting fires at the homes of two different members of the same family.
Scott Jones started a fire at the home of Andrew Lewis, before causing a blaze that engulfed a shed belonging to Paul Lewis.
Jones, of Linley Avenue, Pontesbury, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday after admitting two charges of arson.
The 20-year-old, who was recently diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, pleaded guilty to the offences at a previous hearing in March.
Judge Jim Tindal said: "For reasons no-one can understand you burnt the house to the ground.
"You could have killed the people in the house and rather than warn them, you panicked and froze then ran away."
The first offence took place on November 15 last year at Church Pulverbatch, near Shrewsbury, following a night out with his friends – one of whom was Kirsty Lewis, daughter of Andrew Lewis.
Mr John Oates, prosecuting, told the court when the night out ended she was concerned about leaving Jones by himself as she was aware he had learning difficulties, so invited him to sleep on the sofa.
Later the occupants awoke to the smell of smoke.
Jones fled the scene and was later questioned. He admitted starting the fire.
He was granted bail and on Christmas Day was allowed to go to his parents, who live near Paul Lewis. In the early hours of Boxing Day Mr Lewis awoke to find his shed engulfed in flames. CCTV footage showed Jones lighting a piece of paper.
Mr Danny Smith, for Jones, said his client was a man of previous good character.
Judge Tindal told the court a psychiatrist had considered Jones to be a medium to high risk of harm, before imposing a six-year immediate prison sentence on him.
Jones will spend a maximum of four years in custody, and the remainder on licence.
