Man jailed for arson attack on neighbour

Sentencing Martin Stewart at Leeds Crown Court yesterday Judge Kerry Macgill said he was fortunate that the flame burnt itself out and did not spread to clothes inside the door of the flat in Acorn House, Netherfield Close, Castleford.

“It is utter stupidity to put lighted material through a letter box.”

Stewart, living in the second floor flat opposite, must have known there was only one way in and out for the neighbour targeted.

Had the paper been two to three inches further forward clothes could have caught fire, he said.

Had that happened the couple sleeping inside the flat, whose smoke detector was not working, might have died through smoke inhalation or the flames.

Stewart, 21, admitted arson being reckless whether life was endangered.

Mehran Nassiri, prosecuting, said the victim, James Craven had experienced some difficulties with local residents in the past banging on his door, throwing eggs and playing loud music.

On the night of February 11 after having a takeaway he and his girlfriend went to sleep on a mattress in the living room. He was woken at one point by music but went back to sleep.

The next morning he found a blackened piece of paper which had been pushed through the letter box and some damage around the letter box.

Outside he often found abusive words written in marker pen on his door.

Stewart initially denied responsibility but a couple who had been at his flat the previous night described seeing him light the paper.

Michael Smith, for Stewart, said his actions in drink were totally out of character that night. He had never been in trouble before with the law and appreciated the danger of what he had done.