/ 5 April 2008

Former fireman jailed for starting 20 fires

fireman was found guilty of arson and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years behind bars on Friday after being convicted of starting 20 blazes across northern Switzerland.

The 31-year-old farmer even set his own property alight, with total damage from his spree during 2002/04 running to several million Swiss francs (one Swiss franc equals $1).

No one was injured in the attacks, the Untertoggenburg-Gossau district court was told. — AFP