An arsonist torched vans outside a Leeds house to pay off a debt to drug dealers.
Dario Diclemente was caught after returning to the crime scene in High Ridge Park after failing to destroy the vehicles during his first attempt.
The 24-year-old was handed a suspended prison sentence today (Tuesday) after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit arson.
Prosecutor Ian Cook said Diclemente and another man went to the property on the morning of May 10, 2019.
He said they walked past the house a number of times with their hoods up before setting fire to the vehicles.
The van owner was woken up by his son who saw the flames and raised the alarm.
He went outside and managed to put out the flames.
Around £700 worth of damage was caused.
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Leeds Crown Court heard the defendant and another man returned two days later in the early hours of the morning.
They were disturbed as they tried to use flammable liquid to set the same vehicles alight.
Diclemente ran off but was stopped by police a short distance away.
He was arrested as he smelt strongly of diesel.
He was interviewed and initially denied any involvement in the offence, claiming he had travelled to the area in a taxi from the Beeston area.
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Diclemente later admitted responsibility for the fires.
He told officers he was in cocaine debt to drug dealers and had been told to destroy the vans as a way of paying it off.
Mr Cook said: "After the first attempt he was told he had not completed the task and that he had to return."
Diclemente, of Wyncliffe Gardens, Moortown, Leeds, has no previous convictions.
Sean Smith, mitigating, said Diclemente had a long-standing cocaine habit and had been able to pay for the drug until he lost his job, adding: "That is when his problems with the dealer began."
Mr Smith said Diclemente is now receiving support to tackle his drug problem and is hoping to find a new job.
Diclementewas given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with requirements to do 180 hours of unpaid work and complete five days of rehabilitation activity.
