Dangerous arsonist torched house in Leeds

Sotname Sambi set fire to a wheelie bin outside the property in Armley, Leeds, after he had threatened the man with a knife the previous day.

A court heard the fire spread to the house through a window but firefighters managed to put of the blaze after the flames were spotted and the alarm was raised.

The victim had to climb down a drain pipe to get out of the property.

At the time of the incident, which happened on December 9 last year, Sambi was out of prison on licence for offences of kidnap and robbery.

The court heard Sambi had become friends with the victim after being released from custody and was taking guitar lesson from him.

Leeds Crown Court heard Sambi had also threatened another man with a knife and threatened to kill him during a similar incident a week earlier after he had been drinking.

Sambi, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life and two offences of affray.

In 2004 Sambi, then living at Wortley Towers, Wortley, was “extremely drunk” when he subjected a victim to a terrifying 40 minute ordeal.

The victim was approached in the street as he was with his girlfriend and forced to go into a flat at knifepoint.

Sambi then punched the man and slashed the back of his hands before forcing him to hand over cash.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier, QC, told Sambi he must serve an 11-year custodial sentence follow by an extended four year period on licence.

The judge told Sambi: “You are clearly a problem when you take drink.

“You clearly pose a very serious risk to people.”