An arsonist who targeted a religious group has been jailed for five years. 

Stephen Finch first targeted the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University on October 19 last year, when he spraypainted markings on the Inner Space meditation centre in Gloucester Avenue, Chelmsford, and on the home and car of a group member in Kelvedon Hatch.

He then set fire to the Inner Space centre on Boxing Day last year, by pouring a flammable substance through the letterbox and setting it alight.

It caused damage costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Then on January 16 this year, he poured a flammable substance through the letterbox of the Kelvedon Hatch property before setting it alight.

Firefighters had to treat the victim’s cat for smoke inhalation and the blaze caused damage costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Finch, 53, of The Street, Croxton, in Norfolk, admitted two charges of religiously aggravated criminal damage and two counts of arson being reckless to whether life was endangered when he appeared at court in March.

He was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, July 20 to four years in jail for each of the arson charges, to run concurrently, and one year for each of the criminal damage charges, to run consecutively.

He was also made subject of a restraining order, which included conditions not to go to Inner Space, or attend or contact any Brahma Kumaris Inner Space Centre.

Investigating officer Dc Dan Bennington, of Chelmsford CID, said: "Finch was named by the victims as someone who may have an issue with the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University, but they had not been in contact with him for 15 to 20 years.

"When he was arrested, a search was carried out at his home address and items including a jerry can, lighters, lighter fluid, clothing, and a spray can were found in his car.

"We were able to match some of the items with images captured on CCTV of the suspect on October 19 and January 16.”

Ds Nathan Hutchinson, of Chelmsford CID, said: "Finch is a troubled man who could have put lives in danger with his actions.

"He will be well monitored by the authorities and it is reassuring for the victims that the judge has put in place an extensive restraining order to protect them from Finch.”