AN ARSONIST who dowsed a car in fuel he had just bought and set alight the owner's property has been jailed.

Kyle Barnett travelled over 60 miles from his home in Peterlee, County Durham, to Pickering, in North Yorkshire, last November to buy a Jeep, but was dissatisfied with the sale.

Returning to the yard he had bought the car from, Barnett parked it outside the owner's property and dowsed it in fuel before setting it alight.

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 was finally located and arrested in a local hotel in Durham later that month by Durham Crime team on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

He was charged and remanded into custody.

Barnett appeared at Middlesbrough Crown Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to the charge was handed a 32-month custodial sentence.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Hindmarsh, of 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 victims 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.”