Arsonist who set fire to guest house in Stafford jailed
An arsonist who started a fire at a guest house in Stafford has been jailed for four years and four months.
Peter Groucutt, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life and arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered.
Stafford Crown Court heard how the 42-year-old set fire to the Fairfield Guest House, in Lichfield Road, Stafford, at 2.20am on February 6.
Detectives established Groucutt had been asked to leave the guest house previously.
However, he returned, forced entry and set a fire in an unoccupied bedroom.
The fire ripped through the ground floor and caused significant damage to the building before it was extinguished by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Groucutt, who was sentenced on September 3, was seen entering and leaving the hotel wearing gloves and had changed his clothes before he left.
Detective Constable Aaron Evans, of Staffordshire Police, said: "This was a calculated and planned attack, which put the other guests in real danger.
"Thankfully, due to the swift actions of the residents and management, after hearing the fire alarms, nobody was harmed.
"Groucutt presented a real risk not only to the guests but the wider community of Stafford."
