A Carlisle man who left a complete stranger terrified as he launched a revenge arson attack on the wrong house has been jailed.
Wayne McDonald, 30, was heard by a startled woman to knock on the door of her new-build home in the city late on November 18.
She watched on doorbell video footage as McDonald, clad in a hooded top, approached and he then tried the handle.
As he sparked a lighter, the occupant assumed he was having a cigarette. McDonald walked away briefly but then returned and stuffed toilet roll which had been set alight through the letterbox.
This was extinguished but while damage was limited, Carlisle Crown Court heard today the psychological impact of the arson attack was not.
In a statement, the householder said she regarded herself as collateral damage. She appreciated the fear that would have been caused to the intended victim while detailing the fallout for herself and her own family.
“This attack on the house has greatly tarnished their love for the property,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson. The woman felt anxious about people approaching the address and was scared to leave her dog alone and the house unoccupied.
McDonald, of Harris Crescent, Carlisle, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered or property destroyed.
He further admitted two breaches of a restraining order he had been given at the crown court as part of a suspended prison sentence last September.
Hours before the arson attack, McDonald had left a note on his former partner’s vehicle and during a separate incident shouted at her, causing her to feel scared.
For the three offences he was given a total prison sentence of 35 months.
Recorder Brian Whitehead told McDonald of the arson offence: “This was effectively a revenge attack, albeit on the wrong person.”
