DORSET Fire and Rescue Service is seeking almost £6,000 compensation from a man who helped hatch a plan to destroy Canford Heath by fire.

Robin Spinks, 22, from Anchor Close, Bearwood, Bournemouth, admitted conspiracy to commit arson on the evening of March 25 this year.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday , Simon Jones said Spinks had been charged with two juveniles following the blaze.

Proceedings against one of the girls were later discontinued. The other, who was 15 at the time and cannot be identified for legal reasons, received a 10-month referral order at Poole Youth Court. She was ordered to pay £780 compensation.

The court heard how Spinks had sought revenge after receiving a warning from police earlier in the day for riding his trials’ motorbike on the heath.

Mr Jones said: “He wasn’t happy and embarked on a discussion to destroy the heath by fire.

“He assisted in filling two bottles of fuel but withdrew from the conspiracy before the aims were put into effect.

“They were all arrested nearby that evening.

“A large part of heath land was destroyed, requiring many fire officers to attend and extinguish.”

Mr Jones added that Dorset Fire and Rescue Service was now claiming £5,944.30 compensation from Spinks.

In his defence, the court was told that Spinks was a young man with problems which needed to be addressed.

A probation service report described him as immature with low self-esteem and a low risk of causing serious harm.

Adjourning sentencing for psychiatric reports, Judge Samuel Wiggs said: “At the moment I am considering a custodial sentence.”

A Dorset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “When an offence like arson is committed we do our best to claim back the costs we have laid out.

“We calculate the cost to our service and it is up to the court to decide what compensation is paid to us.”