Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre arsonist jailed

Patrick Kiyama, 27, was awaiting deportation at Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre when he started the fires

A convicted robber who started two fires at a detention centre has been jailed for four years.

Patrick Kiyama set fire to bedding in his cell and lit another in a bin at Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre, near Lincoln, on 23 July.

He was awaiting deportation to his native Congo after being sentenced to 13 months in prison for a street robbery in Milton Keynes.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the 27-year-old was "frustrated".

Kiyama denied arson with intent to endanger life and a second arson charge but a jury found him guilty following a trial in January.

The court heard £2,300 of damage was caused in the two fires at the 320-capacity centre, where up to 30 staff were working at the time.

'Forgotten everything'

In sentencing, Judge Simon Hirst told Kiyama: "You were frustrated with what you perceived was the slow pace of your return to the Congo.

"You told two prison officers that you were going to set fire to the centre.

"You went and purchased some matches and set fire to flammable items in your pillow.

"You then left, locked the door and went to another unit where you set fire to the bin and contents."

Kiyama told a doctor he had taken the drug black mamba and had an argument with a prison officer.

When asked by the judge if he had anything to say in his defence, Kiyama, who represented himself in court, replied: "I have got nothing to say. I have forgotten everything."

The judge added: "Fortunately the fire you set did not get out of control."