Tower block arsonist jailed for setting woman alight

A man who set a woman on fire inside a flat, after dousing her in petrol and vodka, has been jailed for 11 years and nine months.

Reece Brivitt, 33, set the victim alight inside a tower block flat on Milton Grove, Stafford, on 22 October.

The victim suffered serious burns to her chest and legs, leaving her with life-changing injuries, the court heard.

Brivitt admitted charges of arson with intent to endanger life as well as wounding with intent and was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday.

Brivitt was also served with an indefinite restraining order against the victim.

Det Con Jessica Scott, of Staffordshire Police, said the arsonist had "subjected his victim to a cruel attack, which has left her with life-changing injuries".

"The incident not only threatened the life of the victim, but of all those who were in the flats at the time," she added.

The swift actions of firefighters meant the fire was extinguished quickly, preventing further injuries, she explained.

Delivery group manager Mark Walchester, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Crews worked quickly to minimise the risk posed to those in the flat block during this incident and to ensure the fire was extinguished as quickly as possible.

"Fires in flat blocks and houses of multiple occupancy have the potential to devastate lives."

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