Man threw lit firework that set a car alight, writing it off

A CAR was engulfed in flames and destroyed after a grandad threw a lit firework at a patch of oil on the ground in an act of "drunken stupidity".

- By ROB KENNEDY

Ian Stubbs

Ian Stubbs lit the firework in his hand then tossed it to the ground in Gateshead.

Dash cam footage from another car shows what happened when it hit oil or other flammable liquid on the ground and set fire to a parked Ford S-Max, which was destroyed in the blaze.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the offence happened on the afternoon of April 12 this year at Felling Metro Station.

Laura Peto, prosecuting, said: "The dash cam footage shows an individual setting the car alight. The defendant appeared to hold an object in his hand, setting it alight and throwing it towards the vehicle.

"From the pre-sentence report, it can be ascertained it was a firework. He threw it towards the vehicle. It then sets the ground alight and causes damage to the car.