An arsonist was caught on CCTV setting fire to bins in a block of flats where he lived. The fire left residents "psychologically harmed" after the flats had been set on fire six times previously.
Mark Smirthwaite, 46, entered the basement of the Greenwood flats in Newport on April 23 but was seen leaving shortly later as smoke started billowing. The emergency services were called and managed to stop the fire before it took hold.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday was told Smithwaite was arrested after the CCTV was analysed. But he continued to deny arson with intent and was eventually found guilty following a trial.
