An arsonist who burnt down a homeless shelter in a “heinous” crime has been sentenced.

Ben Wilson, 20, set light to the Braintree Emergency Night Shelter (Bens) in High Street, Braintree, on February 12.

He had been evicted from the homeless shelter the previous day and returned to exact his revenge.

Two people in the building had lucky escapes, with one having to jump from a window onto a passing bus in order to escape the flames.

He had admitted one count of arson with intent to endanger life at Chelmsford Crown Court in June and on Friday he was given a five year and four month prison sentence.

He will serve at least half behind bars.

During the sentencing, Judge John Dodd said: “To take everything from those who have so little and to set out to destroy a place of safety where homeless people like you were in my view is heinous.

“One of the two men inside the building walked with a stick, something you would have been aware of.

“This is a very, very serious offence.”

He praised the efforts of bus driver Andy Waterman who saved the life of Mitchell Cook, who had to jump from the third floor of the building and the actions of the other members of the public who helped at the scene.

He described a video from inside the shelter, which showed Wilson tampering with CCTV cameras and moving a fire extinguisher the day before the attack as “chilling”.

The CCTV also showed Wilson removing his own possessions from the shelter moments before it goes up in flames.

The video reveals how quickly the building became engulfed in flames and smoke.

The fire completely destroyed the Grade II Listed building, which is thought to worth about £500,000 and also caused damage to neighbouring businesses.

Kate Davey, prosecuting, said: “The building was a valuable contribution to the high street landscape.

“There are not many buildings in Braintree which are listed.”

A psychiatric report on Wilson showed no mental illness.

Laura Kenyon, mitigating, said: “Wilson is someone of good character.

“He expresses his regret that this incident took place.

“If he could go back and not do it, then he wouldn’t hesitate.

“He said this is because of the impact it has had and the situation he is in as a result of it.”