A FIREBUG who toured the countryside starting blazes and burned down a football club and a telephone exchange has been jailed for three years.

Martin Steven Pattison, 20, caused nearly half a million pounds of damage and cut off 600 telephone customers, York Crown Court heard today.

The same day he burned down a clubhouse owned by a football club, in what Judge Peter Charlesworth described as an equally serious offence because of the impact it had on the local community.

Jailing Pattison, the judge said his danger to the public in future "must be to a degree unknown".

Pattison, of Pasture Close, Wistow, who worked in Elvington, pleaded guilty to nine charges of arson.

David Bradshaw, prosecuting, said that between August 20, 2000, and January 12 this year "for no reason" Pattison set fire to eight cars around Selby, including in his home village.

One of the cars had broken down and another was parked. The remainder appeared to have no owner or had only scrap value.

On January 27, Pattison "moved on" and burned down two buildings, said Mr Bradshaw.

He destroyed Monk Fryston Football Club's clubhouse.

The court heard a statement saying the club was uninsured and had had considerable difficulties finding the £12,000 replacement cost.

The same day Pattison burned down BT Gateforth Exchange, causing £431,400 damage. He started both fires with petrol.

The judge said 600 phones were cut off.

Defence barrister Nigel Wray said Pattison was "more than averagely susceptible to suggestion" and had been egged on by other youths who dared him.

But the judge said the other youths claimed Pattison's nickname was "firelighter", and Mr Bradshaw said the others claimed they were not involved.

Mr Wray said Pattison came from a good home with a good background.

Updated: 15:32 Wednesday, October 31, 2001