A volunteer fireman has been jailed for eight years for nine arson attacks in the Gooi region near Hilversum.

Peter K, 35, set fire to homes, woodland and cars but no-one was injured in his attacks. Nevertheless, this was a matter of luck, appeal court judges in Amsterdam said. In one fire, at a private home in Laren, the occupants were home when the blaze was started.

K volunteered as a fireman and also worked in the local alarm centre. He was originally jailed for 11 years and appealed against that sentence.

The public prosecution department had called for a seven year jail term plus treatment in a secure psychiatric clinic. The court ruled the man is completely responsible for his actions and that psychiatric prison was not an option.