A MAN from Llandudno left a café owner in Abergele feeling “vulnerable” after a fire he started caused roughly £4,800 of damage to his premises.

Izak Donkin and an accomplice set alight the exterior of The Beach Café in the early hours of June 15.

Donkin, 20, of Abbey Road, was today (November 12) handed a 18-month community order at Caernarfon Crown Court (sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court), having previously admitted arson.

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Prosecutor Catherine Elvin said that, at about 4.45am that morning, firefighters were alerted to a fire outside the café.

When they arrived, they found two small fires, albeit neither had spread to within the building.

But it was later concluded that they had been started deliberately, as no accidental source could be found.

Closed circuit television enquiries then identified Donkin in the area at the time – he was subsequently arrested, and had his mobile phone seized.

Analysis of his phone found messages revealing pictures of him at the location at the time of the fire, as well as correspondence between him and another individual which “seemed to show some premeditation”.

These messages included “hahaha we’re going to have so much fun” and “the café hut is going mental”.

The damage caused to the café’s premises included to its gutters, shutters, serving hatch, roof, side door and window.

Its owner, Nicholas Williams, said the fire brought back memories of a similar incident at the café previously, and made him feel “very stressed” and “vulnerable”, and worried about the impact it would have on his business.

Defending Donkin, who was of previous good character, John Wyn Williams said his client has “genuine regret” about his actions.

Donkin, he said, was “led astray”, and his cannabis and alcohol use that night “may have affected his judgement, but he is “very sorry for what’s happened”.

Mr Wyn Williams added that Donkin has been diagnosed with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and “needs assistance from those who surround him”.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones told Donkin: “I have no doubt that you were effectively ‘egged on’ by a person less vulnerable than you, but you had clearly made plans to go there.

“You’ve caused him (Nicholas Williams) considerable stress.”

Donkin’s community order comprises 20 days’ rehabilitation activity, 60 days of monitored alcohol abstinence, and six months of “trail monitoring”.

He will also pay Mr Williams compensation of £500.