Plasterer’s van went up in flames when man poured liquid on it and set it on fire

Calum Sunderland, 22, of Acres Street, Keighley, pleaded guilty to arson in the town’s Sunnyhill Avenue on August 1.

He also admitted attempted criminal damage to the door of a public house in Church Street, Keighley, on the same date, and possession of a small bag of cannabis.

Prosecutor Nicola Hoskins said that he was seen on CCTV at 5am banging on the pub door and attacking it with a bottle.

Two hours later, he poured something from a Coca Cola bottle on to the front of the Volkswagen Caddy van, valued at £3,000, and set it alight.

It was destroyed in the arson attack and Sunderland was identified from CCTV and arrested.

He was sentenced on a video link to HMP Leeds where he was remanded in custody.

Sunderland’s solicitor advocate, Nicholas Leadbeater, conceded that his misuse of drugs and alcohol was no excuse for the offending.

But he urged the court to suspend the prison sentence, saying that Sunderland had done very well on a previous similar order more than two years ago. It had stopped him reoffending for a long time.

Recorder Patrick Palmer said that Sunderland had “very significant issues” set out by his probation officer in a detailed report.

He had been held in custody since committing the offences.

Sunderland was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He must undertake an alcohol treatment requirement for six months and a drug rehabilitation requirement, also for six months. He was also ordered to attend up to 25 rehabilitation activity days with the probation service.

Recorder Palmer urged Sunderland to avoid drugs and alcohol in the future.