A man who set fire to a letterbox after aiming a torrent of abuse at his neighbour has been locked up.
William Richardson was arrested only minutes after police were called to a flat in Garratt Avenue, Mansfield, on 31 March 2022, after receiving reports of a fire inside.
Responding cops quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and attempted to keep the blaze from spreading before the fire service arrived, put the fire out safely and evacuated two women.
The 34-year-old, who had spent the evening banging and attempting to kick down the flat’s door, decided to take matters even further by arming himself with accelerant and setting fire to the flats letterbox shortly after 12.15 am.
Thankfully both women living at the address were uninjured.
Richardson, of HMP Nottingham, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (2 February) after pleading guilty to arson with recklessness, possession of Class B drugs and assault by beating.
He was jailed for three years and nine months.
He also appeared in front of judges after being charged with possession of a bladed article after being stopped by officers in Ravensdale Road, Mansfield, on Friday 15 October 2021, and found to be in possession of a Stanley knife and hammer.
Detective Constable Stephanie Cook, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This must have been an incredibly scary incident for the victims.
“Richardson spent that evening targeting the address, kicking the door, screaming at the victims inside and kept returning before finally setting fire to the letterbox causing it to spread to a nearby curtain and placing the homeowners in immediate danger.
“Thankfully the fire was quickly contained thanks to the quick actions of the responding officers and our fire service colleagues’ swift response which meant both women were left uninjured.
“Fires can have catastrophic consequences and not only place the victims at risk but also any surrounding houses and people as the blaze spreads – putting other people’s lives in danger.
“Richardson’s offending didn’t stop there though after he was found with dangerous weapons on him.
“There is no defence for carrying a knife and weapon in public, no matter your excuse.
“It’s something we take incredibly seriously as a police force and we will continue to act on any suspicious activity and crack down on those who believe they can arm themselves and get away with carrying dangerous weapons.”
• Women trapped in Nottingham house after fire started through the letterbox
