Man jailed for arson attack at Medway Maritime Hospital

An arsonist who started two fires close to oxygen tanks and MRI scanners at Medway Maritime Hospital has been jailed for life.

Luke French, 29, entered the hospital grounds in September last year and set rubbish alight which was being stored in an outside cage less than a metre away from lorries containing the scanners.

He also set fire to a nearby wheelie bin.

A member of hospital staff extinguished the fire before it caused significant damage.

Security staff then chased French away from the scene.

He was arrested at around midnight following a police search.

French, of Peregrine Drive, Sittingbourne, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered and must serve a minimum of five years in prison.