AN ARSONIST trapped a terrified family in their first-floor flat by setting fire to their only way out, a court heard.
The fire started by Terence Miller was so fierce it melted the telephone line preventing Michelle Wassell, her two young daughters Lucy and Katie and her partner Kevin Arreghini phoning for help.
Yesterday at Winchester Crown Court Miller was sentenced to 100 hours community service and two years probation, leaving the family and friends angry that he wasn't jailed.
Eighteen-year-old Miller pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and arson of the flat and a neighbouring property in Redlands Lane.
Miller, who lives in Ocean Close, Fareham, had drunk eight or nine pints. He set fire to paper in bins and paint underneath the metal fire escape and access to the flat, and Miller ran off without calling the emergency services.
Neighbours eventually called the fire brigade who found the family cowering in their kitchen.
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