A parking row erupted in flames after a Leeds man set his neighbour’s car on fire in a vicious act of “revenge” for “parking in front of his house”.
Christian Stirk subsequently received a suspended sentence after causing more than £23,000 worth of damage when he set the vehicle alight in July 2023.
Unfortunately, the fire spread to another car – completely destroying both vehicles in the process.
Leeds Crown Court heard that Stirk poured fuel over the Mercedes A180 and set it alight after being forced to park across the road from his usual spot.
The shocking incident occurred along a residential road
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The incident occurred on Brander Drive in Gipton – where gas works were taking place at the time.
The woman had asked Stirk’s grandfather if she could park outside their home due to the gas works and, later, CCTV footage showed Stirk arriving home at 11.30pm but unable to park in his usual spot.
He was then seen retrieving a petrol canister, emptying it over the Mercedes and setting it alight, and then headed inside his house.
Stirk later emerged and casually walked past the burning vehicle, which later exploded, engulfing a nearby Renault Clio in a rampaging blaze.
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A Ford Puma parked nearby was checked and found to be undamaged.
Following the incident, a witness told police they had seen someone pouring liquid over the Mercedes before light the vehicle on fire.
Stirk was arrested following the incident and gave a no-comment interview to police. He later admitted a charge of arson at Leeds Crown Court.
The court heard that Stirk has 10 previous convictions for 11 offences.
Prosecutor Lydia Carroll described the incident as a “revenge attack”
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Prosecutor Lydia Carroll described the incident as a “revenge attack” against his neighbour but no further explanation for the motive was given during the court proceedings.
No mitigation was presented on Stirk’s behalf after Judge Tom Bayliss KC indicated he would not impose an immediate custodial sentence.
During sentencing, Judge Tom Bayliss KC told Stirk: “It’s very troubling to me why you committed this offence.
“It appears to me it was undoubtedly planned. It seems you were irritated by where the car was.”
Stirk received a two-year jail sentence, suspended for two years and was also ordered to complete 13 rehabilitation days as part of his sentence.
