A MAN has been jailed for eight years after admitting to two charges of arson. Simon Derek O'Connor, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five years for setting fire to a property in Ormond Avenue, Hampton, on May 11, 2002, and three more for torching a farm in Shepperton.

He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court last Friday. Investigating officer Detective Constable Phil Carter of Spelthorne Police said: "O'Connor has rightly been sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment. The fire at Hampton, although not causing much damage, caused great distress to the owner and could easily have had disastrous consequences.

"The fire at Shepperton was much more extensive and caused over £100,000 worth of damage, destroying a building and stock. The fire was so severe that ten pumps attended the scene from the fire service.

"O'Connor has expressed great remorse at what he has done and has realised that he needs psychiatric help to deal with his behaviour. He acknowledges that he is a danger to others and himself.

"This investigation was a joint effort between DC Mick Mantle of Twickenham and myself and shows how close co-operation between forces is essential in serious crime investigation. The judge stated that O'Connor should, in serving his sentence, receive all the psychiatric help that was available to ensure the future safety of the public. From the police and victims' point of view, eight years is a fair sentence which reflects the serious nature of the offences O'Connor has committed, and illustrates how we are bringing more offenders to justice."

l A CASE against Phil Murray was dismissed at Richmond Magistrates' Court on Monday when the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence.

The 41-year-old defendant of Pinchill Close, Shepherds Bush, faced a charge of common assault by beating on December 11 at a house in Fulmer Close, Hampton. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge on January 27.

l DARNEL Barclay did not attend Richmond Magistrates' Court on Monday to face charges of receiving stolen goods between January 7 and 10 last year and failing to surrender to custody on August 11. The goods in question were a Toshiba laptop, a Dell laptop and 19 pairs of jeans, with a total value of £475. The court heard that the 19-year-old from Lakeside Road, Shepherds Bush is currently unwell and his case was adjourned until April 14, at which point he must produce medical certificates.

l A WARRANT without bail was issued for Desmond Joseph Gogarty after he failed to appear in court on Tuesday. The 41-year-old from Moye Close, Hackney, faces charges of driving while disqualified, having no MOT and no insurance.

l A 38-year-old man was fined £225 and given six penalty points on his drivers licence after pleading guilty to driving otherwise than in accordance with his licence and having no insurance.

Climaco Antonio Ramirez, of Hanbury Road, Acton, admitted driving alone and having no L' plates despite only holding a provisional licence and in doing so invalidating his insurance.

The incident took place on March 25 on the A316 at St Margarets roundabout, Twickenham.

In his defence it was claimed Ramirez, from South America, had not understood the conditions of his provisional licence.

and had believed he had a correct insurance policy.

His fine included costs of £35.