Leeds city centre apartments evacuated as residents lives' were put at risk after 'dangerous' arsonist started fire

Fifteen residents had to be evacuated from eight apartments above business premises on Lands Lane after Andrea D'Alterio set fire to a bin.

Leeds Crown Court heard flames spread from the bin to timbers over the entrance to the apartments and the building filled with smoke.

Andrew Stranex, prosecuting, said the fire was intense enough to put those inside the building in serious danger.

The incident took place around 3.50am on November 28, 2019.

Minutes later, D'Alterio walked a short distance to Butts Court and set another bin on fire.

Firefighters managed to put out both fires but concluded that they had been started deliberately.

CCTV footage showed the defendant in the area shortly before the fires were started.

The footage also showed D'Alterio carrying cardboard near to the entrance of the apartments.

The 42-year-old was arrested after a police officer recognised him from the footage.

When interviewed the defendant said he had been sleeping rough in the area but denied starting the fires.

When interviewed by a probation officer about his offending D'Alterio admitted that he had deliberately started a fire in Bradford city centre on a previous occasion

A report assessed him as posing a serious risk of harm to the public.

Judge Andrew Stubbs gave D'Alterio an extended prison sentence of eight years.

He must serve a custodial term of four years followed by four years on licence.

Judge Stubbs said: "My conclusion, having read these reports and seen the offences which you committed, is that in the future you pose a high risk of causing serious harm by the commission of further specified offences.

"Your explanation for setting the fires are inconsistent and incredible and a cause of great concern because of your admission to the probation officer that you also set a fire in Bradford in similar circumstances."