Dorset hotelier jailed for arson

A hotelier who set fire to his rivals' business has been jailed for 18 months.

Christopher Poole, 45, was caught on CCTV in the grounds of the Thatch Lodge hotel in Charmouth, Dorset, which belonged to Andrea and Christopher Worsford, just before it caught fire.

Poole, who owned the White House hotel, two doors away, lit the thatch on the hotel.

He had been convicted of arson at a previous hearing, but was cleared of the more serious charge of recklessly endangering life.

Two guests had been asleep in the Thatch Lodge, but they escaped unharmed.

The jury at Dorchester Crown Court was told Poole was caught on CCTV outside the hotel just before smoke started pouring from the roof.

Four flashes of light on the video could have been caused by a match or lighter, the jury was told.

When police searched Poole's home they found a bag smelling of fuel in his trousers.

Poole had denied the charge, arguing he had been reading a noticeboard at the time he was filmed.

He said he saw a shadowy figure inside when he left the premises.