Recluse was 'high on drugs' when he torched his flat

50-year-old caused around £100k damage

- Sentinel Reporter

ARSONIST Nicholas Massey caused around £100,000 of damage and left four neighbours hurt after setting fire to a flat.

The 50-year-old was high on drugs when he started the blaze at a flats complex in Lucerne Road, Biddulph, on March 2 last year.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Massey originally claimed that a roll-up cigarette accidentally sparked the fire, which left one casualty in hospital and three others requiring medical treatment.

Although the exact figure has not been calculated, it is estimated that the damage caused amounts to more than £100,000.

Barry White, prosecuting, said: "The fire caused considerable damage to the homes of multiple occupants. The windows need replacing. This was very serious harm to the occupants."