A FORMER drug addict carried out a ‘revenge’ arson attack after he was caught shoplifting.

The judge rejected Richard Howlett’s claim the fire at the Spar shop in Blake Avenue, Droitwich, must have been started accidentally after he flicked away a cigarette butt.

Instead judge Robert Juckes QC ruled the fire must have been started deliberately by Howlett who returned to watch the blaze. He was arrested at the scene with a cigarette lighter.

The 36-year-old, previously of Cowl Street, Evesham, was jailed for four years at Worcester Crown Court on Friday.

The arson attack on June 3 this year caused £38,276 worth of damage to stock and property at the back of the shop.

Howlett, who was homeless at the time after being released from jail, started the fire after earlier being caught stealing biscuits and crisps, hiding them inside his body warmer. He offered to return the goods but the shop worker said she would call police.

Howlett said he had been around the back of the store to urinate and admitting throwing a shopping trolley on the roof after he said he had tripped over it.

Jason Aris, defending, said: “The difficulty seemed to have been when a relationship of his ended and he spiralled into drug use. It has caused him to lose not only his home, problems with contact with his child but has also caused him to have frequent spells in custody.”

Judge Robert Juckes QC jailed Howlett for four years, telling him ‘such a fire always puts lives at risk.’

After the sentence, a West Mercia Police spokesman said: “Howlett has been a drain on policing and a bane on the lives of the residents in Worcestershire for a number of years. This latest offence highlights the damage he brings to society and the significant impact on local businesses.”