A Southampton man admitted he was “off his head” through drink and drugs when he launched an arson attack on a service station.

Sanjay Ladher, high on cocaine and cannabis after a night’s heavy drinking, tried to set fire to petrol pump nozzles which he had thrown on the ground.

An employee at the Shell service station in Burgess Road, Swaythling, found nozzles lying on the forecourt, which was also strewn with paper, when he arrived at 6.30am to open business for the day.

Prosecutor Rachel Robertson said he contacted his manager and when CCTV footage was viewed, Ladher was seen on the forecourt shortly before 5am, throwing paper around and trying to set fire to pumps. He had also set fire to paper on the floor that didn’t take hold and self-extinguished.

Because of built-in safety measures, there was only “a small residue” of fuel in the pumps. No petrol could have escaped and there was no risk to life, the court heard.

Ladher was arrested at his home after leaving his set of keys and a mobile phone behind.

He told police he had been extremely drunk, had smoked cannabis and taken cocaine. It had not been his intention to blow up the service station but he was “off his head”. He added that he was extremely remorseful.

Ladher, 26, of Langhorn Road, Southampton, admitted attempted arson and was jailed for two years.

Robert Forrest, defending, said Ladher accepted he had been stupid and couldn’t explain what he had done.

“He is perplexed and shocked and doesn’t try to minimise his actions.

“There was no significant risk of an explosion but he recognised it was a serious offence and it was more by luck than judgement there had been no risk to the public.

“He has no fascination for fire,” he added.

After the case investigating officer Howard Broadribb said: “The act committed by this male is one that stretches beyond comprehension.

“No matter how intoxicated a person becomes this can never be a defence for trying to set fire to pumps on a petrol station forecourt.

“His actions were just one of a passing act of stupidity they were a sustained and determined effort in which he forced off the locked pump handles and then even used rubbish from a nearby bin to try and start the fire.

“Anyone witnessing his actions would have been stunned by the sheer danger this posed to any passing pedestrians, vehicles or people living nearby.

Fortunately, due to the additonal safety measures the station had in place, a critical incident was avoided.”