A Norwich man who attempted to set fire to a speed camera has been sentenced to a year in a young offenders' institution. Karl Joyce, 20, attempted to set fire to a camera on Dereham Road in Norwich after two of his friends were caught speeding.
He was spotted by a passing motorist in April 2003 dressed in black and wearing a balaclava trying to set light to the device.
The motorist called the police and when officers arrived they found a car tyre with bottles of petrol inside on top of the �38,000 camera.
Deterrent to others
Joyce was arrested after being found in nearby bushes.
On Friday at Norwich Crown Court, Judge Peter Jacobs said Joyce's sentence should send a message to others that this type of behaviour would not be tolerated.
"Such action will be visited by deterrent sentences in the interest of the rule of law and public safety," he said.
Joyce pleaded guilty to attempted arson, at a previous hearing.
A psychiatric report said Joyce had learning difficulties, but Judge Jacobs said it was obvious the attack had been planned.
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