Prisoner who torched cell jailed

A prisoner who torched his cell forcing staff to evacuate a wing holding 27 inmates has been jailed for 20 months.

Terry Adams had been moved to the vulnerable wing shortly after being admitted to Bedford prison because he was suffering a psychotic incident.

The fire caused damage put at £2,000, Luton Crown Court heard. Adams, 34, was on remand on charges of burglary and sexual activity with a child.

He admitted arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

A member of staff involved in the evacuation suffered from smoke inhalation, the court heard.

'Model prisoner'

Two fire crews took 25 minutes to get the fire under control on 28 August last year.

Judge Geoffrey Breen told Adams, of no fixed address: "Your problems at the time were induced by your own drug abuse.

"Now having been kept away from drugs you are behaving perfectly well and don't present a danger to anyone at all.

"In fact you are still in Bedford prison and are described as a model prisoner.

"But when you set fire to your cell the vulnerable prisoners wing had to be evacuated with the additional danger of their reactions during the course of the evacuation."