Addict who had not slept during three-week drug binge set fire to flat
A judge told John Stokes his level of intoxication at the time of the blaze was “an aggravating factor”
An addict who had not slept during a three-week-long drugs binge set fire to a flat in a “multi-occupancy” building, a court heard.
John Stokes, aged 39, set two fires in a bedroom and although neither fully took hold the arson attack caused £700 of damage.
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A judge told Stokes his “level of intoxication” at the time of the blaze - on March 8 last year - was “an aggravating factor.”
Mark Thomas, prosecuting, said the Edlington building was a multi-occupancy setting for “vulnerable” people such as those with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mr Thomas said Stokes was banned from the building at the time due to a previous issue five months prior to the blaze.
Two fires were set in a bedroom although neither of them fully caught as they were stopped by a fire retardant carpet.
The court heard Stokes had 54 convictions for 96 offences - of which 55 were for theft.
Judge Charles Thomas told him: “Happily neither fire took hold however a number of people were present, some of them vulnerable. People were put at risk because of your actions.
“It seems you were not thinking rationally at the time as you said in a letter you had not slept in three weeks before this happened.”
However the judge surmised Stokes had been taking drugs during this sleepless period, adding: “That level of intoxication is an aggravating factor.”
Stokes, formerly of Arla House, Queens Crescent, Edlington, admitted arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
Noting Stokes had ”a very large number of previous convictions,” Judge Thomas jailed him for three years and four months.