AN arsonist who torched a dental practice has been jailed for four years - and slammed as a selfish prat by the man whose business he wrecked.

Burnley Crown Court heard how heroin addict Jason Wildman, 33, of Colne, twice burgled the property and then set it on fire last November to cover his tracks.

But he was caught through DNA after leaving blood at the practice run by Mark Wilkinson, in Whalley Road, Accrington.

After the incident, which caused £300,000 of damage, the surgery was closed for three months. It reopened in February but refurbishment work will not be complete for another month.

Wildman, 33, of Holme Street, Cotton Tree, Colne, had claimed he had cut his finger helping a youth who had been trapped in a barbed-wire fence at the back of the premises.

But he pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and one of arson.

Sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson said the blaze had long-term consequences for Mr Wilkinson and his patients. The judge added that sentences for arson had to include a deterrent element to others.

Today, Mr Wilkinson said nothing could compensate for the inconvenience to the business.

He added: "The sentence is what was expected and I am glad that it is over now.

"But things will never really get back to normal. I have spent the last three months trying to catch up with patient problems.

"The man who did this was a selfish prat who has a blatant disregard for everyone and everything.

"At least the damage here was to property and not people."

John O'Shea, prosecuting, said last November 3, the fire brigade was called to the detached practice just after midnight. The premises were alight and the surgery area was gutted.

A hole had been cut around the lock area of the room containing the safe although the safe had not been removed. Computer equipment to the tune of £1400 was missing.

A fire officer was called in to investigate and he concluded the blaze had been started deliberately.

Mr O'Shea said Mr Wilkinson was able to tell police the surgery had been broken into earlier in the year and a brand new computer had been taken.

Police found blood on the till and discovered a footprint impression and a surgical glove covered in blood outside.

Joanne Shepherd, defending, said a psychiatrist had reported the risk of Wildman committing such an offence in the future was quite low. He had a history of burglaries which was underpinned by his drug addiction.

Wildman was trying to turn his life around but knew he must be punished for what he had done.