A drunk homeless man caused more than £90k worth of damage to a Norwich charity shop after he set it on fire before heading off to the pub, a court has heard.

Darren Ince, 57, was spotted starting the blaze in the doorway of the British Red Cross shop, on St Benedict's Street, and was tracked by police to the nearby Ten Bells pub where he was found with a lighter in his pocket and smelling of smoke.

Imposing an extended six-and-a-half year sentence - made up of four-and-a-half years in custody and two years on licence - Recorder Michael Turner told Ince it appeared to be a "deliberate attempt to express some form of anger to the charity, or a charity not necessarily the British Red Cross".

British Red Cross store in Norwich that was damaged by fireBritish Red Cross store in Norwich that was damaged by fire (Image: Newsquest) Norwich Crown Court heard that Ince had been spotted starting the fire, then leaving it "burning quite ferociously before going to the pub without calling for any assistance".

People living opposite saw the charity shop was "ablaze" and Ince "appeared to be feeding the fire" before he moved off "leaving the flames burning".

Ian James, prosecuting, said as a result of the fire, which happened just after 10pm on February 25 this year, the total loss to the charity has been £92,000.

He said the store which was forced to close following the blaze was still shut.

Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Ince, of no fixed abode, refused to appear at court on Tuesday (July 3) but the case was dealt with in his absence after he previously admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Recorder Turner said he considered Ince to be a dangerous offender who posed a significant risk of serious harm to other members of the public, particularly when in drink.

Britush Red Cross store in Norwicn after it was damaged by fireBritush Red Cross store in Norwicn after it was damaged by fire (Image: Newsquest) He said Ince's mind had been "addled by drink" and told him his reasons for setting the fire were "known only to you".Darren InceDarren Ince (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) Andrew Oliver, mitigating, said Ince had led a "peripatetic" lifestyle and had been homeless for some time.

He said the defendant had been affected by "poor mental health" as well as the consumption of alcohol.