AN ARSONIST who endangered a priest's life by torching his car outside his presbytery home, was jailed for 33 months.

Craig Murray (22), of Meadow Drive, Barton-upon-Humber, set fire to two cars and attempted to torch a third vehicle on the morning of February 2.

Father Jonathan Cotton was living at a presbytery in the town at the time and he had the use of a Citroen Xantia, which was owned by a charity. He left the vehicle parked close to the front door of his home the night before and then went to bed.

Charlotte Baines, prosecuting, said: "At around 6.30am Father Cotton was awoken by a banging noise. He became aware of an orange glow outside his bedroom window. He got out of bed and saw his vehicle was on fire. He saw the flames were coming very near to the door of the presbytery."

Firefighters arrived on the scene and tackled the burning car. But, Miss Baines said, the vehicle was totally destroyed in the arson attack. The scene was examined and it was discovered heat from the burning Citroen had led to glass in the front door cracking and the drain pipes being scorched.

And, on the same morning, Murray torched a Vauxhall Astra that had been parked overnight by a woman on Whitecross Street, Barton. "When her son went to collect the vehicle he found it had been burnt out," Miss Baines told the court.

Neil Turner had also parked his Astra in the same area. "He found the window had been smashed. He saw a lump of concrete on the passenger seat," said Miss Baines. There was fire damage inside the vehicle as well as a blood stain. This was analysed and was found to match that of Murray.

He was arrested and released on bail. But, at about 8pm on Febuary 8, he was with Lee Godfrey on George Street, Barton. They approached Thomas Lobacz, who was with a woman, and Godfrey theatened to assault him and take his vehicle unless he gave him cash and a lighter.

Godfrey was given a disposable lighter and a total of £2.70 cash. He handed the money to Murray, who later admitted handling stolen goods.

When questioned about the arson attacks Murray accepted he had burnt the vehicles.

Speaking of the arson attack on Father Cotton's car, Murray's barrister, Jeremy Lindsay, said: "There was a distance between the property and the car itself."

He added: "There is no doubt this was a serious matter. But what he did do was to phone the fire brigade."

Godfrey (21), of North End, Goxhill, admitted a robbery charge. His barrister Matthew Donkin pointed out: "No violence was actually used or harm caused."

Godfrey, who also admitted breaching a suspended sentence, was jailed for a total of 14 months.

Murray admitted charges of reckless arson, arson, attempted arson and handling stolen goods.

For the full story, buy today's paper.