Bungling arsonist sets fire to himself

An arsonist from Coventry who set fire to himself during an attack on a Warwickshire bar has been jailed. Lee Arran Sood, of Kentmere Close, Potters Green, was scarred for life following the blaze at the Walkabout Bar, in High Street, Rugby, in May last year.

The 20-year-old former army gunner became engulfed in flames after covering the floor in petrol and setting fire to it. The bar’s landlord and his brother-in-law were asleep upstairs at the time and were alerted to the blaze by a fire alarm.

In CCTV footage released by Warwickshire Police, Sood is seen leaving the burning bar with an accomplice shortly after 2am on Wednesday, May 14, last year.



Despite both of them having their feet on fire, the pair are then seen jumping inside a waiting Mini Cooper with a driver inside. The trio then drive off in the car but as fire spreads, the car is stopped and Sood is seen getting out.

Prosecuting, Vicky Lofrese said Sood’s T-shirt had caught fire and he is seen on the footage rolling on the floor to put out the flames. He then tears off the T-shirt and leaves it at the scene, as the car drives off.

Due to the seriousness of the burns he went to University Hospital, Walsgrave for treatment, where he was later arrested. Judge Marten Coates handed Sood a four-year sentence.

You can see the full CCTV footage, with commentary, here.