An arsonist who set fire to a takeaway restaurant in Letchworth as well as a car has been sent to prison for four-and-a-half years.

Homeless Amal Perera, 37, caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage to the USA Fried Chicken shop in Station Road and a Ford S-Max in October 2022.

Perera, who became an alcoholic after his marriage broke down, stole a reflective jacket from JD Wetherspoon in the town on the night of October 10, 2022.

In the early hours of the following morning, he was seen on CCTV wearing the hi-vis jacket in Station Road, where he placed cardboard against the silver S-Max and set it alight. The car, which belonged to a nurse, was a write-off.

He next set fire to objects outside the ground floor of the USA Fried Chicken shop, causing £145,000 damage. Six people who were living upstairs had to be rehoused.

Perera, of no fixed address, appeared for sentencing via a video link from Wormwood Scrubs prison, having been convicted of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered at the chicken shop, arson of the car and theft of the jacket.

He now faces deportation back to Sri Lanka, St Albans Crown Court was told.