Rain may have saved Boscombe residents' lives after an estate agent who had been drinking tried to spark a fire outside a bedsit block.

Luke Watson, 20, from Walton Road, Bournemouth, admitted attempted arson, being reckless, at Walpole Road in January this year.

His co-defendants; Christopher Watton, 19, from Calvin Road, Bournemouth, and Benjamin Wilson, 20, from Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to attempted arson.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Francis Chamberlain said Watson had been spotted pouring petrol on wheelie bins outside a terraced property.

He returned later and was seen attempting to light matches before making his getaway in a car being driven by Watton. Wilson had bought the petrol.

Mr Chamberlain added: "The bins were wet; it might have been different if there hadn't been rain. The police found four matches; two struck within a yard of the bins."

A fire officer's report confirmed that a lit match could have ignited the petrol vapours and the bins were close enough to the property to put residents' lives at risk.

Watson was arrested at the estate agents' office where he worked. In his defence, the court heard that he had been "the subject of threats and intimidation" after being robbed and giving evidence against his attacker who had lived at the Walpole Road property.

Defending Watton, Paul Hester said Watton had "felt under pressure" and was a young man of previous good character.

In Wilson's defence, the court was told that he had been heavily intoxicated and hadn't realised what the petrol was going to be used for.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC told Watson: "What you did that night was extremely stupid and potentially very dangerous.

"You were clearly the instigator and must shoulder more responsibility. I am satisfied that there is very powerful background mitigation. You were drunk, depressed and something snapped. What you decided to do was unbelievably reckless."

Watson received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, was ordered to carry out 240 hours' unpaid work and pay £720 towards prosecution costs. Watton and Wilson were each given 12-month community orders, ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work and contribute towards court costs.