Double arsonist who acted in jealous fit jailed for four years

A Latvian man who started fires in two women’s apartments on the same night while drunk and in a fit of jealousy has been jailed for four years.

Vladimirs Li (30) broke down the door to the apartment of his friend’s ex-girlfriend believing a man of whom he was jealous was inside. He later returned and started a fire there, before starting a fire at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and throwing her dog out of a window.

He caused damage estimated at €10,000 in the first attack and €58,000 in the second. His former girlfriend sustained minor injuries after she entered the apartment to look for her dog which was later found.

Li, with an address at Leinster Road, Rathmines, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of arson at Williams Park, Rathmines and at South Circular Road on January 13th, 2013. He also pleaded guilty to a count of criminal damage during the incident at Williams Park.

Attack
Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a four-year sentence for the first attack, to run alongside a six-year sentence for setting fire to his ex-girlfriend's home. She suspended the final two years of the six-year term.

She also made an order that Li stay away from his ex-girlfriend for five years after his release and to not put her in any fear, distress or intimidation.

After his arrest Li told gardaí he had wanted to harm the property of the man with whom he had a grievance. Li suspected the man had a role in the breakdown of his relationship, which had lasted three weeks.