An arsonist who took revenge on a former employer by petrol bombing a van outside the company's building has been jailed.
Dean Barber was drunk when he launched an arson attack on the air conditioning supplier's premises on Gelderd Road in Leeds.
The 46-year-old dad-of-four was jailed for a year and eight months today (Monday) after pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity to arson.
Prosecutor Jessica Heggie said Barber worked at TF Solutions Ltd between December 2018 and July 2019.
Leeds Crown Court was told he had a grievance with the firm, which wasn't looked into.
Ms Heggie said Barber continued to email the company after his departure, including threats to burn the building down that were dismissed as not serious.
However, CCTV cameras caught Barber throwing petrol bombs over the fence at a van on the premises on Monday, January 11 this year.
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As officers were on their way to the scene, Barber handed himself in at Elland Road police station. He made full admissions.
The court was told the petrol bombs had been made out of beer bottles and a rag and caused around £600 worth of damage.
Barber, of Maude Avenue, Beeston, has dozens of previous convictions, including for an offence of arson with intent and an offence of theft from an employer. He only had a couple of convictions after 2000.
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Judge Neil Clark read a pre-sentence report on Barber ahead of the sentencing hearing.
The court was told Barber's marriage had been a stabilising factor in his life.
Philip Morris, mitigating, said his client's wife made him leave the family home in February 2020 and he moved into a small flat shortly before the first national coronavirus lockdown.
He said Barber became suicidal.
