A man who tried to set fire to a petrol pump with a cigarette lighter has been jailed for three years.

Leicester Crown Court heard that Sean Rutherford, aged 30, had drunk 13 litres of cider and six rums before the incident at the Tesco service station, in the city’s Fosse Road North.

Rutherford admitted attempted arson, being reckless and possessing an offensive weapon.

The attack happened last September. The forecourt was closed for the night, but the shop stayed open. Horrified shop workers rang the police after spotting Rutherford grab a hose nozzle and begin to flick a lighter to the nozzle end.