Arsonist torched car and van outside family's home before using blow torch in attempted burglaries

An arsonist who torched a car and van parked outside a family's home has been jailed.

Macaulay Smith, 29, poured fuel on the vehicles before setting light to them while two adults and two children were in the house in Wakefield, Leeds Crown Court heard.

And Smith later used a blow torch to try and burn through locks during two attempted house burglaries in Pontefract.

Smith, of Grasmere Road, Knottingley, carried a water bottle containing an accelerant – probably petrol – when he went to the street in South Elmsall just after 11.30pm on November 27, 2024.

Smith sprayed the fuel on the car and van before igniting both with a lighter.

Judge Richard Mansell KC said there was a loud bang and flash of flames.

The householder looked out of a window and saw Smith running away while being verbally threatening and abusive.

Smith threw the bottle away and police later found it in a nearby garden and managed to recover Smith's fingerprint from it.

Smith claimed to have an alibi, saying he was at his sister's at the time.

But a Leeds Crown Court jury heard mobile phone data contradicted the claim and Smith was convicted of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Judge Mansell said there was no connection with Smith and the family at the house, adding: "Why you committed this offence will remain a mystery."

Judge Mansell said: "Whatever the reason it was an appalling thing to do, setting fire to two vehicles outside a family's home late at night using an accelerant like petrol. It was also a highly dangerous thing to do. It could easily have spread to the house.

"They have no idea why you would want to attack their home like you did."

Judge Mansell said the woman who lives at the house has since struggled with anxiety and depression, adding: "She says she will never feel safe in her own home again."

Smith was one of three men in a stolen VW Passatt on cloned plates which failed to stop for police before being driven dangerously in Castleford at around 6pm on April 22, 2025.

It was driven at 70mph in 30mph zones in Airedale and the police helicopter became involved in the pursuit.

Judge Mansell said Smith was on crown court bail when he and an accomplice used a blow torch to burn through locks on upvc doors at two houses in Pontefract in the early hours of May 18 this year. They failed to gain entry to both houses.

And on May 28 police stopped Smith and another man in Knottingley and seized a blow torch and a screwdriver.

Smith – who has 18 previous convictions for 46 offences – admitted two charges of attempt burglary, one charge of going equipped to steal and one charge of aggravated vehicle taking.

Mitigating, Nick Murphy, said: "He has said in is own words he wants a shot at redeeming himself and he doesn't want to spend his life in prison."

Smith committed all of the offences while out of prison on licence.

He was jailed for eight years at Hull Crown Court in March 2021 for burglary and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

Judge Mansell jailed Smith for a total of eight years and banned him from driving for five years.

And he imposed an indefinite restraining order banning Smith from contacting the couple whose home he targeted or entering their street.