Juggling arsonist set public toilet alight in Chester city centre

Jan 12 2012 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

A PYROMANIAC juggler said he started a fire in a Chester public toilet because it ‘relaxes’ him.

Christopher James Morrison, 24, of Walter Street in Chester can often be seen juggling on Eastgate Street for cash.

But on October 13 last year, he caused a spectacle of a different kind when he carried a bag of rubbish into a toilet on Frodsham Street and set it alight. Firefighters had to extinguish the flames as smoke started pouring out of the door.

Morrison admitted arson at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Amanda Roberts said he was seen on CCTV at about 11.30am that day on the City Walls near Bell Tower Walk. He was stopped and spoken to by a police officer.

“They were concerned he was in the area as he was known to police for starting fires in the past,” explained Ms Roberts.

Unemployed Morrison was said to be depressed after his father’s death the previous month.

He told police: “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. There were some near my house the other night – they were me. It just relaxes me.”

He admitted drinking alone in Grosvenor park before picking up a bin bag on Frodsham Street and using a lighter to set it ablaze before walking towards the Walls

Ms Roberts added: “He said he needs help as one day he might end up seriously hurting someone or worse.”

Scott McCrimmon, defending, said: “He has suffered a long time with depression.

“He has suffered with hiding his emotions for many years. He reported starting fires was a release of those emotions.”

Chair of the bench Christine Abrams imposed a 24-month community order with supervision, a Thinking Skills programme with a mental health requirement, 233 hours of unpaid work, £85 costs and £300 in compensation to Cheshire West and Chester Council.