Oswestry arsonist who made hoax bomb calls jailed
An arsonist who terrorised a Shropshire town was today starting an indefinite jail sentence. Paul William Jones had admitted the series of attacks.
Jones, who claims he has become so institutionalised he cannot cope with life outside prison, has been deemed a 'serious risk to the public' and will serve a mimimum three-and-a-half years.
As well as admitting starting a number of fires in Oswestry he pleaded guilty to making a series of bomb hoaxes across the UK.
He set fire to a derelict house bequeathed to Severn Hospice, a heritage railway signal box and pushed burning paper through a letter box of Zion fitness club.
Judge Niclas Parry, sitting at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, gave Jones, 33, of Maple Avenue, Oswestry, an indeterminate prison sentence, meaning he will only be released if a parole board is satisfied he is no longer a risk to society.
At an earlier hearing he admitted three charges of arson as well as 11 charges of making bomb hoax calls for which he was given a further sentence of six years.
Mr Paulinus Barnes, prosecuting, told the court that Jones had carried out the three arson attacks between February 27 and March 5.
Mr Steven Edwards, for Jones, said his client had committed all the offences to try and win a long jail sentence. "He says he cannot cope with life in the outside world and feels safer in prison," he said.
