A HOMELESS arsonist discarded a cigarette butt in a bin which caused a fire which resulted in thousands of pounds of damage to a University of Worcester building.

Christian Fielding admitted arson on a reckless basis after he discarded a smouldering cigarette butt in a burger box in a bin next to the Jenny Lind Building, in Farrier Street, part of the university.

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It was accepted by Judge James Burbidge QC who sentenced him at Worcester Crown Court yesterday that Fielding, who had himself been a victim of arson, did not start the blaze deliberately.

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The 48-year-old had also already served seven months on remand, the equivalent of a 14 month prison sentence, a longer jail term than he would have received had he been dealt with sooner. As a result he walked free from the court after completing paperwork in the cells.

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CCTV shows Fielding, who was homeless at the time, discarding a polystyrene burger box packaging inside the bin. The court heard that Fielding was also in the habit of picking up discarded cigarette butts to see if there was any tobacco left for him to smoke. This was what ignited the fire. Moments later smoke and then fire can be seen rising from inside the Worcester City Council bin on Sunday, May 10 last year. After pleading guilty to arson on a reckless basis, Fielding said: “I am so sorry. It was completely accidental. But I plead guilty.”

Fielding himself had been the victim of an arson when his tent was set on fire and knew the dangers of fire, the court heard.

The fire began in the bin near the wall of the building at around 1.20pm. The Jenny Lind Building is used for academic support and teaching and has three floors and 50 offices and teaching rooms.

Michael Aspinall, prosecuting, said at the time the building was not well populated although reception staff and security were present. The defendant did not turn around and walked off once the fire was lit and there was no change of pace.

The fire service arrived shortly after 1.30pm. The bin cost around £900 to replace and there was also damage to the brickwork of the wall which became ‘bowed’ in the heat.

Two windows were damaged, costing around £1,000 each to replace, and a railing was also damaged.

Fielding was identified from the CCTV footage and arrested the following day. The defendant had four previous convictions for six offences but nothing for arson. His previous includes battery, possession of cannabis, failing to surrender, being in possession of a knife in public, threatening behaviour and obstructing a police officer.

“He placed the burger box in that dustbin having only just picked it up. It would be hard to imagine within that journey he had formed some devious plan to set the university alight” said Simon Burns, defending.

He said his client was ‘extremely sorry’ and had learned a salutary lesson about putting cigarette butts in dustbins.

“It’s fortunate nothing more serious did happen” said Mr Burns.

Judge James Burbidge QC said: “You did suffer significant issues on the streets when you were living under a tent and someone set fire to it and you suffered some burns yourself. You knew the danger of fire and were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”

He said Fielding was ‘not a fire starter’ and had ‘no predisposition to starting fires’. “This was not a deliberate act. I accept that you are remorseful” he said.

However, the judge said Fielding had caused a ‘significant conflagration’ which resulted in over £2,000 of damage to the building itself.

The judge sentenced the defendant, now living in supported accommodation in St John's in Worcester, to six months in prison, a sentence he has already served on remand. No order was made for compensation.