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South Shields arsonist who set fire to his flatmate's bed is jailed for life; Scott Chapman, who caused [pounds sterling]25,000 of damage by setting fire to his flatmate's bedroom after a row, was branded highly dangerous by a judge.

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Byline: Rob Kennedy

A firestarter has been branded highly dangerous and jailed for life for torching his flatmate's bed after a row.

Scott Chapman moved his own belongings out of the way before setting fire to the flat he shared in South Shields, causing [pounds sterling]25,000 of damage.

The flames quickly spread and caused a ceiling to collapse, forcing neighbours to flee as smoke filled their home.

Now Chapman, whose previous convictions include threatening to murder his own mum, has been given a life sentence after a judge said he was a danger to the public.

Recorder Andrew Sandiford said: "With little reason or provocation he decided to set fire to a house.

"Fire is unpredictable, the possibility of it spreading and causing injury or death to people is a great one.

"It was done for reasons of revenge, done with very little thought.

"The defendant represents a high level of danger to the public and there is no indication when that danger will cease, if ever."

Chapman must serve two years and three months of the life sentence before he can be eligible to apply for parole.

But the judge warned him: "You will be detained in custody until the Parole Board are satisfied you no longer represent a risk to the public."

Chapman, 29, set fire to his flatmate's bedroom in the mid-terraced property they shared on Dean Road, South Shields, on September 19.

He waited until the other man and a third flatmate were out of the house...

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