Double arson attack on home of ex-girlfriend

The fire brigade attended the flat in Rosebank Crescent, Leeds, for the first time in October 2008 after neighbours saw smoke.

Simon Haring, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday they discovered a sofa had been burned on one side.

David Farrell's ex-girlfriend Malika Salleri had extinguished the fire and made sure the flat was secure before leaving again to stay with a friend. She had gone out with Farrell for about a year before ending the relationship.

At around 1.30am she was disturbed at her friend's home and by Farrell who said he wanted to talk to her.

He tried to persuade her to go with him to his father's home in Harehills but she refused and went back inside.

Mr Haring said Farrell then shouted to her: "You watch what I'll do now, see what will happen."

At around 3.10am a neighbour in Rosebank Crescent heard someone on a balcony and the sound of breaking glass. Another neighbour saw him jogging away from the building at around 3.30am and, on smelling smoke, called the fire brigade who found the sofa had again been set alight causing 10,000 of damage.

Farrell, 22 of Edgware Avenue Leeds, admitted two charges of arson being reckless whether life was endangered.

Tony Kelbrick, for Farrell, said the split had had a devastating and crushing effect on him and he drank to excess. Since being on remand in prison he was doing well.