Firestarter is jailed for cars arson spree in Didcot

Lee Tyler, of Richmere Road, Didcot, has still not provided any explanation for why he targeted nine cars in three Abingdon roads on August 13 last year.

Michael Roques, prosecuting, said the 22-year-old slashed the tyres and damaged the fuel caps of vehicles in Fitzharrys Road, Lenthall Road and Boxhill Road in the early hours of the morning.

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The barrister said Tyler then forced paper into the fuel tank of a Renault in Fitzharrys Road and set light to it, engulfing it and another nearby Renault in flames. Mr Roques said the fire spread to the garages of two neighbouring terraced houses, but the defendant did nothing to raise the alarm.

The prosecutor said: “There were occupants at home at the time that the fires were set.”

The owners of the two cars destroyed by the fire, David and Denise Bartlett, said it was lucky a neighbour noticed the flames and called the fire service.

Mr Roques said Tyler also stole tools from a van parked in Ock Street on the same night, and was identified by police from his fingerprints at the scene of the arson. He added the defendant had three other convictions for eight offences, including criminal damage and violence.

At an earlier hearing at Oxford Crown Court, Tyler admitted seven counts of criminal damage, theft, arson, and arson reckless as to whether life is endangered.

Peter Du Feu, defending, said his client had drunk heavily and taken someone else’s antidepressants before going on his spree.

Recorder Nicholas Syfret sentenced Tyler to four years and eight months in prison, with an extra two years on licence as he considered him to be dangerous.

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