Man jailed for torching LV18 pirate radio boat in Harwich

A man has been jailed for starting a series of fires in a town, including one which seriously damaged a historic ship.

LV18 – one of the last manned lightships – once hosted pirate radio projects off the coast of Essex.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told the ship, a railway building and two vans were set on fire in Harwich on the evening of February 2.

Christopher Parker, 34, of Alexandra Street in the city, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of arson and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Judge Richard Wilkin described the ship as a “unique national asset”.

Sentencing Parker, he said: “You have expressed remorse, but it remains unclear why you acted in a twisted manner.”

The court heard he was seen watching the fires and spoke to police, but did not tell them at the time he was responsible.

Parker was later arrested at his home, where lighters and an accelerant were found.

Emergency services were called to the LV18 at Harwich Pier shortly after 2100 GMT, where a firefighter said crews were facing “punishing conditions with extremely high temperatures in the engine room”.

Prosecutors said the fire caused an estimated £250,000 of damage.

Heather O'Neil of the Pharos Trust, which owned the ship, told the court she had dedicated six years to the ship and the incident had left her stressed and anxious.

She said: “I feel like my life has been totally turned upside down by Mr Parker’s actions.”

The judge said a fire at Harwich station earlier in the evening caused damage estimated at £19,000 and two vans were also set on fire.

Defending Parker, Hendron Ashley told the court there was no “right answer” as to why he carried out the attacks, but said he had a history of fighting against child abuse. alcohol, which had “gone out of control”.