An arsonist who set alight a car he had just bought before damaging the previous owner's property has been jailed.
Kyle Barnett travelled over 60 miles to Pickering in North Yorkshire last November to buy the Jeep but was dissatisfied with the sale.
Returning to the yard he’d bought the car from, Barnett parked it outside and dowsed it in fuel.
The 22-year-old went on to cause damage to several other vehicles stored at the yard, as well as a caravan and the victim’s home.
Barnett, from Peterlee, was finally located and arrested in a local hotel in Durham later that month on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
He was charged and remanded into custody.
Barnett appeared at Middlesbrough Crown Court on April 23 where he pleaded guilty and was handed a 32-month custodial sentence.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Hindmarsh, from Durham Constabulary’s crime team, said: “Luckily, the victim and their family were not at the yard at the time of the incident however Barnett caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the victim's possessions.
“This was a very complex case which involved working closely with North Yorkshire police to secure a conviction.
“Barnett could have killed someone and I hope he understands the severity of his actions.”
