A NEWPORT man who admitted setting fire to cars at a city garage will pay £400 compensation despite causing almost £3,000 worth of damage.

Ian Hobbs, 25, of Gaer Vale, appeared at Newport Crown Court yesterday after admitting arson and two counts of theft.

The court heard the fire service were called to Puddifer Auto Services Ltd on Granville Street just after 4am on October 31 where they found a black Fiat Punto burnt out.

John Probert, prosecuting, said the fire also damaged two Volvos parked either side of it and an Austin Maestro.

Mr Probert said another vehicle had its window smashed, a car radio was taken and other vehicles, some of which belonged to customers who had left them there for repairs, were found with footprints on. The total cost of the damage was £2,755.

Mr Probert said Hobbs was found by police on the Maesglas Retail Park at 5.50am with a screwdriver, two vehicle excise licence discs from two of the vehicles parked at Granville Street and the stolen car radio.

Hobbs told police he was dependent on alcohol and had drunk 15 cans of lager at home that night before going to three pubs. Mr Probert said Hobbs’ hands were black and he said he could have been responsible for the incident but could not remember.

David Martin, defending, said Hobbs had carried out a previous court order without committing any other offences but this was a lapse.

Judge Eleri Rees said the fire had the potential of spreading and could have become out of control.

Hobbs was given a 32-week prison sentence for arson, suspended for 12 months, and a concurrent 12-week sentence suspended for 12 months for the other offences.

He was given a 12-month supervision order and a sixmonth alcohol requirement.

Judge Rees said it was unrealistic to make Hobbs pay £3,000 and ordered he pay £400 compensation at a fortnightly rate of £8. Marc Gwillim, one of the garage’s directors, said the incident was a shock and caused a lot of hassle. He said they were not expecting to receive any compensation so the £400 was a bonus.