A DANGEROUS man who set fire to a woman’s home when her daughter refused to be his girlfriend has been jailed indefinitely.

Christopher Legge will be freed from prison only when Parole Board officials consider he is no longer a risk to the public.

The 29-year-old was given a sentence – effectively a life term – after a judge heard of his “worrying” record and obsession with fire.

Judge Peter Fox said: “You pose a very real and continuing danger of a high degree.”

The court heard that Legge was convicted of attempted arson in 2005 and arson two years later when he torched a hostel in east Cleveland.

When he was aged 14, an educational psychologist recognised Legge’s fascination with fires, and later an obsession with fire engines.

In June, Legge piled rubbish and cardboard at the front door of Tracie Hudson’s flat, in Darlington, before setting it alight.

Legge thought the best way to get back at Abigail Noble for refusing to date him was to target her mother at her home in West Moor Road.

Neighbour Shaun Stollery spotted suspicious activity and then flames and tackled the blaze while his wife called the emergency services.

Joanne Kidd, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that Legge knew the door was the only way in and out of the upstairs flat.

He later told police he wanted revenge and said there was no point starting the fire if no one had been inside.

Legge, of Barden Moor Road, Darlington, was found guilty of arson with intent to endanger life after a trial.

The court heard he was convicted of harassment in 2003 when he threatened to stab his former girlfriend, and later vowed to burn down her home.

Graeme Gaston, in mitigation, said Legge’s history showed he reacted badly when he was drunk and angry, but had showed remorse.

He said: “His record makes lamentable reading, but this was not a cold-blooded sober decision he took. It was a decision when in drink.”

Judge Fox told Legge: “What is especially concerning in your case is that the trigger mechanism for your acting so terribly dangerously to other people can be slight.

“If that man who saw your suspicious and persistent actions had not done something, there was a potential loss of life which compounds your intent.”

The judge awarded taxi driver Mr Stollery £500 for his “courage and initiative”.