A COMMUNITY effort led to a general store arsonist being given a three-year jail sentence by a judge.

Frank Quigley, 50, was arrested in May after pouring petrol over the front door of the Happy Shopper branch in Coates Avenue, Barnoldswick.

The blaze fortunately burnt itself out before it could cause any major damage but police were concerned at the potential damage which could have been caused.

It was only when eyewitnesses came forward to describe the attack that police were able to build a case up against Quigley, of Fenton Avenue, Barnoldswick.

Quigley, who admitted a charge of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered, was jailed at Burnley Crown Court by Mr Recorder O’Brien.

Further charges against him of committing arson with intent to endanger life, which he had denied, were not proceeded with by the prosecution.

Pc Clare Sharples, of the West Craven neighbourhood team, based at Barnoldswick, has paid tribute to the people who volunteered information about the attack.

“It was quite a complex investigation and we had to bring in a lot of expert evidence to secure a conviction,” she said.

“We received really good help from people in the community, which resulted in Quigley being arrested.

“The victims are very happy with the sentence.

“The fire burnt itself out thankfully but this could have been far more serious. The shop was shut up for the night but there were properties nearby.”

Quigley had been placed on a electronic tag and barred from going within 100 metres of the shop while the court proceedings were ongoing.

Police have said he offered no explanation for setting the fire when he was interviewed following his initial arrest.