Arsonist Mark Elliot was free to start a fire that put lives at risk because he had not been arrested for starting another blaze despite "clear evidence", a court heard.
Elliot had been caught on CCTV lighting rubbish that was piled against a garage shutter, causing around £2,000 of damage.
But despite the clear evidence proving he was responsible for the fire on Beach Road, South Shields, last February, he was not arrested.