A PRISONER who set fire to his mattress at HMP Berwyn because prison officers turned down his request for vapes has been handed a five-year prison sentence.

Damian Evans also smashed up his cell twice at the Wrexham prison, causing £1,600 worth of damage on the first occasion.

Judge Niclas Parry said: “It was an utterly selfish act which put the lives of men and staff at risk at a heavily populated prison. Had the fire taken hold in that prison one shudders to think what would have happened.”

An the judge noted: “A pre-sentence and psychiatric report was requested, but you have chosen not to cooperate. I am satisfied that you pose a significant risk and harm to the public.”

Prosecutor David Mainstone told Mold Crown Court that Evans was in a segregation cell when officers spotted a smoke detector lying broken on the floor.

“He [Evans] said he would continue to smash up his room and threatened to punch the officers,” said the prosecutor.

On the second occasion he smashed a cell door and an observation panel after his “emergency request” for vapes was turned down.

Four days later when officers refused his request for vapes again he told them they would “regret it”. When they returned to his cell later it smelt of smoke and they found Evans had set fire to his mattress which he had put in the shower cubicle.

Defence barrister John Hedgecoe said that very little damage was caused by the arson.

“He has been asked about mental health issues, but he doesn’t believe he has any,” said Mr Hedgecoe.

Evans, 29, admitted causing £1,600 worth of damage to a prison cell on August 3 last year, damaging a glass observation panel in a cell on August 31 and arson involving a cell mattress on September 4.

The court heard that Evans is serving a robbery sentence and his earliest release date is in 2020.

Judge Parry said his five-year sentence with a further four years on licence would run concurrently with his present punishment.