AN arsonist who set fire to a block of shops after failing to break into one has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

Dale Ogden, aged 20 of Morris Avenue, Bewsey was handed the same sentence his accomplice Nathan Bates had been given after Bates, aged 18 of Molyneux Avenue had his sentence cut to two year, nine months after appealing to the High Court.

Warrington Crown Court heard last Thursday how Ogden had tried to break into a golf shop on Bewsey Road, but having failed they later returned and set fire to part of the property.

The fire spread over four shops, leaving them extensively damaged from the fire that took firefighters most of the night to get under control.

Judge Thomas Teague said that the fire had caused in excess of £600,000 worth of damage, meant two businesses had to relocate and one business, set up by the owner when they were just 19 had not reopened.

The court heard how Ogden had one minor previous offence for criminal damage dating from 2005.

Sentencing for Ogden had been delayed numerous times for a psychological report but while sentencing him Judge Teague said there was no evidence of a mental disorder.

He added that he would have been minded to hand him three years and four months in prison, the original sentence handed to Bates.

But after Bates successfully appealed Judge Teague said Ogden would be justified to appeal the sentence if given the original term.