A TEENAGE firestarter described as a danger to the public by a judge has been locked up for four years.

David Hewitson, 17, was told by Judge David Bryant, sentencing him at Teesside Crown Court, that on his release from custody he would then remain on licence for a further four years.

Hewitson, also known as Noodle, was found guilty by a jury in July of deliberately starting a fire that caused a young family to flee from their home.

He had denied a charge of arson being reckless as to the risk to life.

Yesterday, it emerged that Hewitson had previous convictions for damaging property, threatening to destroy property, as well as harassment.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said that a ten-year-old boy had been asleep upstairs when Hewitson carried out the arson attack on the house in Hershall Drive, Middlesbrough, on March 20.

On another occasion, he set fire to a wheelie bin outside a house.

He then told the female householder: "Unlucky, next time it will be your house."

Paul Newcombe, for Hewitson, of Hershall Drive, said the offence for which he was being sentenced was a drastic leap in seriousness.

Sentencing Hewitson, Judge Bryant told him: "It seems to me that it is merely a matter of time before you cause a fatal injury to someone if you are allowed your liberty.

"You are a dangerous young man from whom the public is entitled to be protected."