A FIREBUG has been jailed for ten years for arson.
Lee Harland, 22, was described at Teesside Crown Court as a danger to the public.
Harland, from Darlington, pleaded guilty yesterday to two offences of setting fire to wheelie bins beside shops and offices in Clark's Yard, Darlington, in May.
Prosecutor Sean Dryden said that Harland, of no fixed address, told police that he lit fires to keep warm.
The court heard that Harland had previous convictions for arson in 1986, 1988 and also in 1997, when he started a fire in a Newcastle hostel, which had to be evacuated.
Jonathan Walker, defending told the court that Harland telephoned the police when he realised that the wheelie bin fires were getting out of control.
The two blazes were put out before any serious damage occurred.
Judge Tony Briggs gave Harland an extended sentence and told him: "The public needs protection from your fascination with fire.
"You are getting close to receiving a life sentence, but I bear in mind that you phoned the police and gave yourself up."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article