A hotel worker who started a string of farm fires causing thousands of pounds of damage has said his behaviour was "part of growing up".
Richard Gausden, who started a series of blazes on land in north Norfolk, appeared at Norwich Crown Court this week after admitting arson.
He was spared jail but has been ordered to pay his victims £10,000 in compensation, with payments of £1,000 a month.
Gausden, who works as a night shift worker at a hotel in Sheringham, was caught after police stopped him in his car in North Walsham shortly after he torched 100 hay bales at Hall Farm in nearby Suffield.
Officers detected a strong smell of petrol from a liqueur bottle which he had earlier filled with fuel from a garage.
The blaze, on March 4, 2020, caused £4,000 worth of damage. Days earlier, Gausden destroyed £1,500 worth of straw bales at nearby Lodge Farm.
Richard Gausden appeared at Norwich Crown Court this week to be sentenced for arson (Image: Submitted)
The 27-year-old, of Cowslip Lane, Sheringham, appeared at court having previously admitted two counts of arson.
He also pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting arson at a third farm in 2019 that caused £43,000 worth of damage to a barn and straw as well as a further £16,000 to a forklift which was destroyed.
Gausden - who is known to friends, family and colleagues as William - also admitted a separate offence of causing criminal damage to a car in December 2019, while Hollie Davies, prosecuting, said he wanted nine other matters to be taken into consideration. These included eight arsons and one criminal damage.
READ MORE: Elderly couple in Blue Badge battle with council
After the case, Gausden, who was in his early 20s when he started the fires, said his behaviour had been "part of growing up".
He said he was now a reformed character and would struggle to pay the fines on his salary as a night shift worker.
Hall Farm at Suffield, near North Walsham was targeted by arsonist Richard Gausden (Image: Google)
"I'm relieved this is all settled and done with now, and I hope the victims have it in them to forgive me.
"But I'm not pleased that the judge thinks I can afford these fines. It's unrealistic.
"There are bills and outgoings I have I'm convinced he had not considered. Importantly I have a two-year-old boy who is my purpose in life now and what is keeping me focussed and working hard.
READ MORE: Mystery over death of couple, 69, in horror head-on crash
"I made a mistake, and I am first to hold my hands up to that. The thing is I wasn't the only person involved yet was the only person to get done for it which is frustrating and very unfair.
"We have all done stupid things. It's part of life and growing up.
"I was a boy then and have changed."
Norwich Crown Court
Judge Alice Robinson told him: "Setting any kind of fire is a very serious offence which has the potential to do untold and unexpected damage because you can't control the fire and don't know what's going to happen".
Gausden was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to do a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR), 180 hours unpaid work and pay £10,000 in compensation to some of his arson victims.
READ MORE: Builders rescue man from blazing house '30 seconds from death'
Martin Ivory, for Gausden, said the defendant was someone with a "struggled state of mental health" for which he has sought help.
He said Gausden, who was drinking, mixed with the wrong crowd and found himself "trying to fit in" and "ingratiate" himself with others which is why the offending started.
Mr Ivory said the defendant has had maturity issues but has waited four years to find out his fate which has had an impact and which should be taken account of.
Cowslip Lane, Sheringham (Image: Submitted)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article