Firefighter jailed over arsons

Richter admitted the five charges of arson and attempted arson

A firefighter who became an arsonist has been jailed for 15 months.

Hampshire firefighter Scott Richter was sentenced to 15 months to run concurrently for each of four charges of arson and a fifth of attempted arson.

Richter, a full-time firefighter at St Mary's station in Southampton and also a retained crew member at nearby Totton, set light to a hedgerow, a skip, a garage and attempted to set light to a boat.

The 30-year-old, from Water Lane, Totton, had pleaded guilty to the charges.

You let down the good name of all firefighters Judge John Boggis

It was earlier claimed in court that Richter had not acted in order to earn extra money but to win the respect of his colleagues.

The court was told he had become depressed when two relationships had ended.

Jailing him, Judge John Boggis said he was being given a light sentence because of his otherwise exemplary service with Hampshire Fire Service.

The judge said: "You express remorse, you indicate you are ashamed and embarrassed and so you should be, you let yourself down, obviously, and you also let down the good name of all firefighters."

Police surveillance

He added: "But a firefighter should not start fires deliberately, even if they are small and cause little damage, it is so serious an offence that only a custodial sentence is appropriate."

Richter, a former soldier, set the series of small fires during a three-month period in the summer of 2003.

He was discovered after he was put under police surveillance and was seen buying firelighters just hours before one of the fires.

Richter, who was suspended after his arrest, now faces disciplinary action by the fire service and is expected to be dismissed.

Hampshire's deputy chief fire officer John Bonney said: "This sentence shows that the courts are as determined as we are that starting fires deliberately will not be tolerated.

"Mr Richter's training meant that he knew the consequences of his actions and he has betrayed the trust put in him by the community and his colleagues."