AN ARSONIST torched a nurse’s car in a “bizarre” crime that may have been linked to an earlier crash.

John Galton was seen stepping out of a car in Brighton Road, Lancing, and taking a container to douse a car in fuel.

The same parked car had been struck earlier in the day by another vehicle, a court heard.

But there was no evidence to link Galton, who had taken drugs, to the earlier crash and he refused to reveal his motivation for setting fire to the vehicle.

It belonged to Helena Sharpe, a nurse and church organist, whose cherished memories of her children’s music recordings were sent up in flames when the car was destroyed.

Galton admitted arson at Hove Crown Court and was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence and put under curfew from 7pm to 7am for six months.

He was arrested when his accomplice drove away and crashed the car, leaving Galton with a shattered broken arm.

Beverley Cherrill, prosecuting, said the arson happened on August 23 last year after 9pm.

Witnesses called police after seeing a passenger in Galton’s car step out to urinate while the defendant was seen to empty his own fuel tank.

Mrs Sharpe’s car was parked, and had been struck by a hit-and-run driver earlier in the day.

A car which was seen behind the alleged hit-and-run vehicle appeared to match the one driven by Galton.

But Ms Cherrill said: “Police did not think Mrs Sharpe was the focus of the attack, rather that she might be the unfortunate victim of circumstances.”

The possibility that the arson was used to “cover up” an earlier crime by someone else was “only a suggestion” the prosecutor said.

Sophie Evans, defending, said the incident was out of character for her client, who has shown “remorse” for the “bizarre” crime.

Galton, of Lisher Road, Lancing, offered to pay compensation at a rate of £20 per week.

Judge Stephen Mooney said: “We are never going to get to the bottom of this. I am not being told the whole truth.

“I have absolutely no idea why you drove to where this car which had previously been struck by another car earlier in the day and took it upon yourself to torch it, before driving off with effectively the world’s worst getaway driver.

“I’m told you are still in pain, but you will get no sympathy from me. It is entirely your own fault.

“It is troubling that when one strips away all the uncertainty, the certainty that we do have is that you drove to this location and took out an accelerant.

“That demonstrates a certain clarity of thought, it shows a capacity to be extremely dangerous.

“Nobody is suggesting you have a morbid fascination with fire or anything like that. What I cannot do is speculate.

“What I can establish is that you set that fire. I just do not know why.”

Galton will remain under curfew and must also complete 25 rehabilitation sessions.