Firebug jailed for torching bag of charcoal at petrol station

Martin Case was spotted on CCTV at 1.30am at Shell, in Privett Road, Gosport, bending down to set the fire after being refused alcohol.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard it was only after he ran off and a customer arrived that the smouldering bag was spotted.

The customer attempted to put it out by pouring a bottle of water on the bag before the fire service was called to the incident on May 29 last year.

The 37-year-old, who had taken 15-20g of cocaine and drank three litres of cider, initially claimed to police he was just taking off his shoe as he was angry – but admitted setting the fire on the first day of his trial.

Case, of Stoke Road, Gosport, had run off but was later arrested on May 30, taken to Portsmouth Central police station and released.

But prosecutor Daniel Sawyer said Case walked back to Gosport – setting fire to three wheelie bins in Brockhurst Road and one in Forton Road between 2am and 2.30am on May 31.

CCTV footage caught him bending down next to the bin in police-issued clothes as his clothes had been seized.

Arrested for the second time he claimed he smelled of smoke as a girl he bumped into had set a fire. But Mr Sawyer added: ‘When he was arrested he was in possession of a lighter and was noted to be smelling of smoke.’

The court heard he also had a child’s bike he had taken from a nearby garden.

Sentencing, Mrs Justice May jailed Case for six years and three months, with a four-year extended licence.

She said: ‘You do pose a risk to the public.’

Fire investigators found the charcoal bag was just outside of the flammable area surrounding the petrol pumps.

‘That’s not something the average person knows,’ Mr Sawyer said.

He added: ‘As it happens the fire remained relatively small, some lumps of charcoal and the bag smouldering rather than turning into flames.’

Case, who has 17 convictions for 32 offences, first admitted arson over one wheelie bin, then admitted three further arson charges on the day of his trial, along with arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He will serve two thirds of the custodial term before being considered for release by the Parole Board.

Unyime Davies, for Case, said medics had found no diagnosed psychiatric disorder but he tried to get help.

She said Case had suffered years of child abuse.

Ms Davies said Case had stopped using drugs and alcohol while in prson.

‘He drank three litres of cider and used 15-20g of cocaine, this has resulted in these offences,’ she said.