This is the shocking moment an arsonist damaged a shop window with a metal pole after setting fire to his flat in Gravesend, police have revealed.
David Daisley, formerly of Pelham Road South, has been jailed for two years and four months following complaints about his persistent antisocial behaviour, Kent Police have said.
The 51-year-old set alight to his rented property in March after a year-long dispute with shopkeepers, which led to his landlord choosing to evict him.
The police footage captures Daisley in an unbuttoned shirt throwing a stool and wheelie bin to the ground at the back of the flat after setting fire to the curtains inside.
He can then be seen throwing a metal pole at the windows of the shop below repeatedly.
Daisley denied arson with intent to endanger life but was convicted following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
He also admitted racially aggravated common assault and was sentenced at the same court on Friday, December 13.
Daisley moved into his flat, which was above a shop on Pelham Road South, in January 2018, the court heard.
Shop workers regularly complained to him about antisocial levels of noise coming from his property, in particular music, and were often met with verbal abuse in response.
The persistent issues led to Daisley’s landlord taking the decision to evict him in March this year.
When Daisley was informed of the pending eviction, he racially abused the victim, threatened to burn down their property and threw a beer can at their head.
Daisley was arrested about an hour after the fire was reported and was charged with the offence while in custody. He has been held on remand since.
Detective Constable Rob Sircar, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: "Daisley persistently showed a complete disregard for the thoughts and wishes of people going about their lawful daily lives.
"Those who politely asked him to change his ways were met with unacceptable levels of abuse which culminated in him senselessly endangering their lives.
"Such behaviour, which has no justification, shows he is incapable of living in society without being an unacceptable nuisance and danger to the public.
"I am pleased the court has enforced a strong custodial sentence which is entirely justified."
