Life sentence for Underfall Yard arsonist Boyd-Stevenson

Boyd-Stevenson was given a life sentence for setting fire to Underfall Yard

A serial arsonist has been jailed for life after starting a fire which destroyed a historic boatyard, causing millions of pounds worth of damage.

Robert Boyd-Stevenson, 46, had been working at the Underfall Yard in Bristol for three days as a maintenance coordinator when he lit the blaze.

His sentencing hearing was told the fire was started in the Big Shed just before midnight on 6 May.

The blaze destroyed the shed, boats and led to local residents being evacuated.

Rebuilding the historic yard has been estimated to cost £2.6m and take three years to complete.

Some businesses that used the yard have ceased trading while others have faced bills of tens of thousands of pounds.

Judge Martin Picton, sitting at Bristol Magistrates Court earlier, told Boyd-Stevenson: "It appears when things in your life are going wrong you react by starting fires or making bomb hoaxes.

"It has happened with significant frequency to give rise to the concern you are highly likely to do so again - you are clearly dangerous.

"The trauma for those whose homes were put at risk must have been considerable."

The judge said some local business owners had suffered "extreme" trauma the night of the fire which will "stay with them for a long time".

Just after midnight several people living near the yard dialled 999 after seeing flames

Avon and Somerset Police said emergency services were called at about 12.05 BST on Saturday 6 May.

More than 20 people living in close proximity to the yard were evacuated as a precaution.

The fire spread and destroyed buildings which housed several small business. Two privately-owned boats were also damaged, one of which sunk.

Gregory Gordon, prosecuting, said the Grade II-listed boatyard dated from 1809 and many of the original Victorian-era buildings remain to this day.

He said forensic examiners had concluded an accelerant had been used to the start the fire and within 15 minutes it had quickly spread.

The court heard Boyd-Stevenson's wife, Laura, had noticed a change in his behaviour in the weeks before the arson, with him crying a lot and being agitated.

On the night of the fire, he unlocked the yard and went to the Big Shed where he started the blaze, Mr Gordon said.

Boyd-Stevenson, who admitted arson, watched the fire from the nearby Millennium Promenade.

He then sent a photo of the blaze to the managing director of Underfall Yard and searched the internet for articles about the arson, the court was told.

GPS data and CCTV placed Boyd-Stephenson in the area on the night of the fire

The defendant returned home on the morning of 6 May and his wife noticed he was calmer - similar to when he had committed a bomb hoax at Bristol Airport in 2015.

He was arrested by police later that evening.

Boyd-Stephenson had previous convictions for arson and bomb hoaxes dating back to 1997 and served an 11-year sentence for similar crimes, the sentencing hearing was told.

'Concerning and dangerous'

Jenny Tallentire, mitigating, said Boyd-Stephenson was "not oblivious to the consequences of his actions".

"It follows a pattern that he has followed throughout his life. In an emotional breakdown in his life, he acts in the way he has," she said.

"It is unusual and concerning and a dangerous trait."

Judge Picton imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of six years' imprisonment after concluding Boyd-Stevenson posed a risk to the public from further offending.

He told Boyd-Stevenson he will not have his parole reviewed for five years and 162 days.

An alternative, more serious charge of arson with intent to endanger life was ordered to be left on file.

Police said the "huge amount" of resources need to fight the blaze could have been tackling other incidents

Det Sgt Lisa Jones from Avon and Somerset Police said: "The seriousness of the fire cannot be underestimated.

"On another day, Robert Boyd-Stevenson could have seriously injured or killed someone."

She added: "I would like to take this opportunity in thanking the local community of Underfall Yard, as well as the residents of Avon Crescent, for their patience and their strength in dealing with their personal loss and that of this city."