Firefighter turned arsonist is sentenced
A firefighter who started started blazes himself in a bid to save his local station from closure has been given a community order.
Former retained firefighter Richard John Naughton turned firestarter in a bid to up the number of call outs at closure-threatened Knighton Fire Station.
Naughton admitted two charges of arson at Knighton in November last year at an earlier hearing but appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court yesterday for sentencing.
He was given a 12-month community order with a positive skills course and was ordered to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work.
Naughton was also ordered to pay £330 compensation to Powys County Council for damage to a skip, £225 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
Mr Richard Doyland, sentencing, told Naughton: "This is a serious crime and you must pay back the community."
The 33-year-old of Rosehill, Knucklas Road, intentionally set fire to recycling skips near Knighton Community Centre on Bowling Green Lane, to increase the number of call outs and make the station appear to be more viable.
Naughton, who was firefighter for seven years but has since resigned, had admitted committing arson by damaging skips belonging to Knighton Recycling Centre on November 11 and November 18 last year.
The court was told Naughton had no previous matters recorded against him.
Colonel Tim Van Rees, for Naughton, said his client had "acted thoroughly stupid, though with good intentions."
He added: "He loved serving his community and now he has resigned and he won't be able to again."
