A teenager who blew up a parked car in Bolton town centre has avoided an immediate jail sentence. Ryan Fleming, 18, set fire to a Nissan X-Trail, in Churchgate, in the early hours of February 27.
Prosecution barrister Sophie Kenny told Bolton Crown Court that deodorant had been used as an accelerant and it eventually caused the vehicle to explode.
CCTV operators spotted Fleming roaming the streets with a 16-year-old boy. Fleming was seen on CCTV setting the fire and the operators also saw the 16-year-old damaging a Nissan Micra on Morrison's car park.
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Police found Fleming in possession of two lighters and the boy with deodorant and a toilet roll. Both were arrested and the 16-year-old was dealt with by way of a caution, Ms Kenny said.
During his interview, the boy said that Fleming threw a brick at the X-Trail's window, then climbed in, found the deodorant, sprayed it on the seat and set it alight. He said that Fleming then threw the can back into the car and waited for it to explode.
Fleming pleaded guilty to arson but said that the 16-year-old had lit the deodorant can with a tissue, before putting it in the wheel arch of the car. Fleming said that he threw a rock to try and dislodge the can but he missed and smashed the window. which he lit and put in wheel arch, he said he threw rock to dislodge that, but he missed and hit window. He also denied any intention of making the car blow up.
In a victim personal statement, the car's owner said that he was "absolutely devastated" and "wounded". He said that he had recently spent £1,700 rebuilding the car's engine and indented it to be his "forever vehicle".
Defending, Niamh McGinty told the court that Fleming has no previous convictions and is "terrified". She described his home life as having been "turbulent" at the time of the incident and said that he was smoking cannabis to excess.
Ms McGinty said that he has since moved in with his girlfriend's family in Stockport and that he "can be part of a stable family home. This has been the wake up call he needed," she added.
Judge Tom Gilbart sentenced Fleming to 10 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He said: "Setting fire to a vehicle like this is a clearly dangerous and stupid thing to do.
He added: "I keep in mind you are young and immature, of previous good character, and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. I am persuaded that in this case, it is appropriate to suspend this term."
Under the terms of his suspended sentence, Fleming will have to complete 150 hours unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
