Wakefield arsonist ‘crazy’ on drink and drugs when he started fires in Eastmoor
A man who was 'crazy' on a cocktail of drink and drugs started fires inside and outside his supported accommodation house in Wakefield, a court heard.
Leeds Crown Court heard a fire crew was called to a mid-terrace house on Park Lodge Lane, Eastmoor, after Steven McCormick started a fire outside the front of the house at around 10pm on July 19.
McCormick, 47, was high on drink and drugs when he set rags and rubbish alight in a dumped fridge freezer.
The fire spread to discarded clothing, furniture and a wheeled bin outside the house.
Prosecutor James Yearsley said fire crews arrived and quickly extinguished that fire.
Another fire crew was called after firefighters heard a smoke alarm sounding and saw smoke coming from a first floor window.
Mr Yearsley said a watch commander forced entry into the house and saw McCormick at the top of the stairs, saying 'If you come up I will set fire to everything.'"
Firefighters found McCormick had set a cloth alight in the bathroom which caused burn marks on the floor.
Police found Yearsley sat in a first floor room with a bottle of alcohol in one hand and a lighter in the other.”
Mr Yearsley said: "He accepted setting the fire outside saying his accommodation had no heating or hot water for several years.”
The court heard the house was supported accommodation and a house of multiple occupation run by Guinness Partnership.
McCormick was the only resident at the time of the incident.
Mitigating, Andrew Petterson said McCormick has problems with alcohol and drugs.
McCormick, of no fixed abode, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
The court heard McCormick, who has been diagnosed with a personality disorder, felt remorse for putting people in danger.
Judge Richard Mansell KC told McCormick: "You recognise that you were not taking your meds and you were abusing a cocktail of drugs, cannabis, cocaine, spice and so on.
"You were, to use your words to the probation officer 'crazy at that time.'"
Judge Mansell handed McCormick a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years with probation requirements.
He made McCormick the subject of a 12 month alcohol treatment requirement.