A man has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after starting a fire inside the supported accommodation where he was living in Alnwick, Northumberland. Kieran McLeary, 24, ignited a blaze in the hallway of his flat at The Corn Exchange on November 15 last year, while six other residents and staff members were present in the building.
Details of the Incident
Newcastle Crown Court heard that a staff member responded to the fire alarm and found an entire newspaper on fire. The prosecutor, Neil Pallister, stated: 'She described the flames as being prominent and a lot of smoke. Before she could say anything the defendant laughed at her and returned back into his flat.' The woman and another support worker used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze.
McLeary told staff he started the fire because he had not been given food and staff had not checked on him, adding that he would 'just start another one.' He later admitted he used a lighter to ignite a cardboard box, saying he needed to calm himself down and get staff attention. Pallister noted: 'He admitted his actions had been reckless.'
Damage and Sentencing
The fire caused £2,220 worth of damage to the accommodation. McLeary, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. Appearing via video link from Durham prison, the court heard he has autism spectrum disorder and experiences depression and anxiety.
Judge Edward Bindloss acknowledged McLeary's difficult childhood and vulnerability, stating: 'I take all of that into account in mitigation in reducing sentence.' However, he imposed an immediate 20-month prison term, adding: 'I'm going to order the sentence to be served immediately because you do serve a high risk of harm to others.'
