Speed camera arsonist left red-faced

A TEENAGER torched a speed camera after it flashed him - then later found out it wasn't working anyway.

Benjamin Oliver, now 20, set light to the speed camera in London Road last November after he "panicked" when he sped past it and it flashed him.

However, the camera was not fully working as it had no film in it to record offenders.

Oliver, of The Meads, Dormansland, appeared before Lewes Crown Court, sitting at Hove on Tuesday (September 23) andpleaded guilty to arson.

The court heard how Oliver set fire to the speed camera in London Road, East Grinstead, then the same night confessed to police

"I have done a stupid thing".

Prosecuting, Anne Toynbee said: "On November 15 2007, Mr Oliver went out at around 8pm to meet friends, then at 11pm went and met his girlfriend.

"A speed camera on London Road, East Grinstead was set alight at around midnight and police, after doing some detective work called on Mr Oliver."

The court heard how the fire was started by a five litre petrol can.

Inspector Paul Ransome, formerly of East Grinstead police, told the court: "In the morning on November 15, while I was on duty as a result of information we had been given we were called to a speed camera on fire on London Road.

"I could see that the petrol can at the foot of the camera looked new.

"There is a BP garage also down that road so I went there and asked whether anyone had bought a green petrol can that night, they told me they had and they let us inspect their CCTV footage."

The court heard how police inspected the footage and after spotting a green Jeep Cherokee car, linked the vehicle to Tim Oliver, Ben's father.

Inspector Ransome said: "At around 5am we went round to the address. We spoke with Ben who said 'I will tell you everything' and told us he had done a 'stupid thing'."

Speaking at the trial, Oliver said: "My mum answered the door and after speaking to police came and woke me up. She kept saying to me 'what have you done? You're going to be in trouble'.

"The police asked me my name and asked if I had been driving the car, I said yes and said I would tell them everything."

In mitigation, David Sonn said: "All I can say is that Mr Oliver has no previous record and has been co-operative right from the start."

Sentencing, Judge David Rennie said: "You are a decent young man who comes from a decent family with a good character.

"I think the biggest punishment for you is gaining a criminal record, however I don't believe that we are going to see you again in here. I hope you will have learnt your lesson."

Oliver was sentenced to six months conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £250 for the prosecution and £350 compensation.