JAILED: Arsonist obsessed with starting blazes given life term after attack on Wolverhampton surgery

Carl Mottram was branded a 'danger to the public' by Judge Simon Ward after his latest attack on 80 Tettenhall Road Surgery.

It was his ninth conviction for arson or attempted arson.

The 39-year-old told police that he carried out the attack between the evening of May 8 and the morning of May 9, because he wanted to return to Ashworth Mental Hospital in Liverpool, where he spent 14 years from 1996.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt told Wolverhampton Crown Court: "The damage by fire had been caused to the rear door of the 80 Tettenhall Road Surgery.

"The only damage was to the door, which had to be replaced at a cost of £500."

Mr Spratt said the defendant went to see a community psychiatric nurse that morning and admitted to her that he had committed the arson.

"He has a mental health condition. His motivation seems to have been to get back into the secure hospital where he previously stayed."

The most recent of his eight previous convictions was in February 1996 when he climbed onto a roof of Bradley senior citizens centre in Bilston and poured flammable liquid down the chimney. He also threw tissue paper and lit matches to try and start a fire. It was an unsuccessful attempt.

Mottram, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to arson.

Defence barrister Simon Hanns said: "It was on a Sunday, when no people would have been going to the doctors surgery."

Judge Simon Ward told Mottram: "I have read psychiatrists reports about you. You said that you get pleasure from setting fires. There was a very serious incident in the mid-90s. The report also says you have a fantasy about setting fire to a high rise block of flats. The psychiatrist says that you can't be treated for your condition. I have reason to believe you are a danger to the public."

Judge Ward gave Mottram a life sentence.

He can be considered for parole in one year and 144 days.