This is the serial arsonist who terrorised Maidstone town centre in a two-hour spate of attacks.

Luke French, of Marigold Way, was handed four years after sparking three fires last April.

The 21-year-old was initially charged with five counts of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He pleaded guilty to three and Maidstone Crown Court took two into consideration.

The attacks he admitted were in the toilets at McDonald’s in Week Street, Sainsbury’s in Romney Place and at the Chequer’s Centre.

They happened on the morning of April 27.

The two charges taken into consideration related to a fire in the toilets at the Forum in Sittingbourne ten days earlier and a fire at a bin store in Tarragon Road in Maidstone on April 26.

All the fires French started were put out quickly by Kent Fire and Rescue Service. No one was injured.

Det Sgt Darren Ryder of Kent Police who led the initial investigation into the arson attacks, said he was pleased the sentence reflected the seriousness of the crimes.

He said the fantastic response from the public ensured that within hours French was arrested and was in custody.

He added: "The response from members of the public and staff in the three stores was overwhelming and the fact that witnesses came forward within minutes with detailed descriptions of the offender enabled us to identify and arrest French quickly.

"The pace of the investigation that morning was extremely fast-moving.

"We were trying to catch an arsonist who could well have been intending to start more fires and officers were deployed in large numbers in our bid to catch him.

"It’s a tribute to their efforts, the close liaison with KFRS and the response from the public that French was caught before anyone was hurt or more damage could be caused." he added.

Commenting on the sentence, DS Ryder said: "Arson is a serious crime and although no-one was injured in these fires it could so easily have been a different story.

"The successful prosecution and sentence show that both the police and the courts do not tolerate this type of crime."

KFRS investigation and research manager David Wales said: "We are pleased French has been dealt with by the courts and welcome the four-year sentence imposed.

"Arson, on any scale, is a serious crime and those responsible will be dealt with in the appropriate manner by the judicial system.

"Any form of deliberate fire setting is extremely dangerous and has the potential to put lives and property at risk.

"It also places a huge strain on KFRS resources, both in terms of attending and dealing with the fires as well as the subsequent investigation into the incidents.

"On this occasion the KFRS specialist Fire Investigation Team worked closely with Kent Police throughout the investigation to gather the required evidence against French.

"We hope this sentencing will send a stark warning to anyone foolish enough to consider setting fires deliberately."