Carlisle man jailed for arson attack on wrong house

Wayne McDonald was found guilty of arson

A man has been jailed after a revenge arson attack on the wrong house.

Wayne McDonald was sentenced to 35 months for the attack on a house in Carlisle on 18 November, which terrified the stranger inside.

McDonald, 30, of Harris Crescent in the city, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered or property destroyed.

He also admitted two breaches of a restraining order he had been given last September.

McDonald knocked on a woman's new-build home late on November 18, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The woman watched on doorbell video footage as McDonald, clad in a hooded top, approached and tried the handle.

As he sparked a lighter, the woman 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, the court heard of the psychological impact of the arson attack.

'Collateral damage'

In a statement, the woman who lived in the house 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, the court heard.

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.

Recorder Brian Whitehead told McDonald of the arson offence: "This was effectively a revenge attack, albeit on the wrong person."

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