German arsonist jailed for seven years

Berlin, April 4 (IANS) A German found guilty of setting fire to over 100 cars in a serial arson attack has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

The 28-year-old defendant -- known only as Andre H -- was charged with burning down a total of 102 cars, most of which were luxury sedans, in Berlin during July-August 2011, Xinhua reported.

A court Tuesday attributed his criminal motivation to "frustration, jealousy and hatred of the society".

The judge said the criminal's "excessive aspiration for recognition" led him to commit the crime which caused widespread fear in the capital city and posed threat to human life, as the flames could have potentially spread to nearby residential buildings.

Andre H made a full confession to all the 86 cases of arson against him.

He said he had long been laid off and barely got a stable job.

"It was such a feeling of injustice that people can afford such expensive cars while he has only to be stuck in debt," a lawyer was quoted as saying.