A man set fire to a home in Scunthorpe, claiming he was driven by fear of an evil spirit, resulting in arson charges.
The house was on Victoria Road. It housed vulnerable people. The fire caused about £16,000 in damages.
Carl Bond, 59, confessed to arson. He knew lives could be at risk. He started the fire around 8:30 p.m. It happened on September 7 last year. Someone called the fire department; fire investigators confirmed arson. North Lincolnshire Council provided the home; it was empty during the fire.
Bond turned himself in, admitting he started the fire. Bond claimed mental health issues. He has 94 past offenses. These convictions include 47 cases, most for dishonest acts.
The flammable liquid and flint made it risky. The arson attack could have caused severe harm.
Ian Durant gave the judge reports. These included psychiatric details. Bond claimed something evil was there. He mentioned a ghost too. He felt the place drained his life.
Durant stated Bond felt stable now. He sees a psychiatrist weekly. Bond wasn’t in the right state of mind. The act was not revenge.
Durant noted averted catastrophic results. Judge Singh jailed Bond for four years. He added three years on license; this extension was because he’s a public risk.