A MAN who set fire to a BMW in an underground car park, and then hung around to watch the damage unfold, has been jailed for two years.

Jason Griffiths, 45, of Bath Street, Oxford, laughed in court yesterday when the prosecution Cathy Olliver described how he had set the vehicle alight in April this year.

Sentencing him at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Peter Ross said: "The motivation of these serious offences was to "show them" – them being the authorities – and then he remained behind to see the disruption he so hoped he would cause.

"Mr Griffiths was seen by two doctors. He told one of them 'I didn't really care what happened' and 'it was fortunate a fireman didn't get killed'. He also seemed gleeful at being in court."

The court heard Griffiths, who has 78 past convictions for 157 offences, walked into the back entrance of a Thai restaurant in Gloucester Green on the evening of April 20 and entered the staff toilets.

There he found aerosol cans, which he set alight before hiding them in the ceiling. Staff and customers smelled smoke but by the time the manager arrived, the fire had extinguished itself.

Shortly after, Griffiths, who was under the influence of drink and drugs at the time, entered the underground Gloucester Green car park, where he lit some paper and stuffed it above the wheel of a £10,000 BMW.

The car was completely destroyed from the blaze, and a Vauxhall Corsa next to it was damaged beyond repair.

In defence, Alistair Grainger said Griffiths did not commit the offences with malice or evil intent.

He said: "It was just the usual thoughtlessness, attention seeking, 'that'll teach them' nonsense,"

But Judge Peter Ross said he believed there was a risk Griffiths would offend again.

Judge Ross said: "The defendant undoubtedly has problems with drink and drugs.

"Whilst he is clean at the moment, that is by nature of his circumstances – being in Bullingdon. There is no expectation upon release that he definitely will do anything other than return to drink and drugs. He has not looked for any help for his drug problem."

He added: "Arson is, in itself, a very dangerous offence. One of the reasons it is so serious is the risk to others, in particular firefighters."

He went on to say doctors had confirmed Griffiths was not suffering from any mental illness such as psychosis, but could have a dissocial personality disorder which included a callous unconcern for the feeling of others, disregard for social law and the incapacity to feel guilt.

Judge Ross sentenced Griffiths to two years in jail for each count of arson to be served concurrently with a five year extension.