THE SUFFOLK arsonist responsible for leaving a trail of destruction after drunkenly setting light to his girlfriend's caravan is due to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court.

By Amanda Cresswell

THE SUFFOLK arsonist responsible for leaving a trail of destruction after drunkenly setting light to his girlfriend's caravan is due to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court.

Elvis Vickers handed himself in to police after wrecking five caravans at a Suffolk farm following a row with his girlfriend, South East Suffolk magistrates were told.

He admitted damaging by fire two caravans worth a total of £5,500 and asked for three other offences to be considered.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: "This was an incident which I think got horribly out of control for the defendant."

The caravans were being stored at Hope Farm, which backs on to the B1113 at Sproughton.

On Friday, April 19, by coincidence, senior fire officer Ken Seager was alerted to the blaze by a member of the public and contacted the fire service before attending.

"Vickers had a row with his girlfriend," said Mr Davies. "As an act of revenge, or anger, he set fire to her caravan and it just got out of control. One fire triggered off the other fires."

The total damage was more than £9,000.

Ian Devine, mitigating, said Vickers, devastated by the breakdown in his relationship, set fire to his partner's caravan after he had been drinking. But because of the close proximity to the other mobile homes, the fire spread.

A month later Vickers, 25, handed himself in to police when he admitted starting the fire.

Chairman of the magistrates, Ray Condon, committed Vickers to the crown court for sentence at a future date.

Margaret Barber and her husband, Kenneth, both 82, were alerted to the blaze by Mr Seager. The couple use part of their land to store 100 caravans on behalf of holiday-makers.

She said at the time. "I don't know how the fire started. It was nasty."