'Jealous' arsonist targeted wrong victim

An arsonist who, in a case of mistaken identity, set fire to a van on the driveway of a family home has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Nathan Bell, 27, of Reeth Road in Carlisle, who was seen on CCTV at the property in Scotby on 9 January, handed himself in to police.

The prosecution said his motivation appeared to have been a photograph of his ex-partner with another man. But the court heard he targeted the wrong intended victim.

Bell was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Thursday after admitting arson.

The court saw CCTV of Bell wearing a hood and carrying a jerry can at the property.

Footage from the victim’s address showed a blinding flash as the van burst into flames.

Bell then fled in a nearby vehicle but later, "consumed by guilt and with blackened hands", gave himself up at Carlisle police station, the court heard.

During the sentencing hearing, an impact statement provided by the van owner was read out.

"Every noise puts us all on edge," stated the man.

"If no-one had seen it being set alight it could have been much worse. It could even have been my house that set alight if it hadn’t been spotted."

The man faced vehicle repairs amounting to nearly £7,000 and lost earnings in the sum of about £5,000 due to his van being off the road for several weeks.

Gerard Rogerson, mitigating for Bell, said: "He is highly apologetic for his actions."

The court was told the crime had been an "impulsive" act, "emboldened" by peers with whom Bell no longer associated.

"This was a very stupid, a very dangerous, a very reckless thing to do," said Mr Rogerson of Bell, who was "jealous" after seeing the photo of his ex. "He accepts that."

After hearing Bell was a working man with two children, Recorder Julian Shaw suspended a 16-month jail term for two years.

Bell was told he must complete up to 30 days’ work with the probation service, complete 200 hours’ unpaid work and pay a £3,500 compensation contribution.

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