A KIDDERMINSTER teenager has lost his appeal against an arson conviction and sentence for setting alight a canopy at a town restaurant.

Daniel Hillman was initially found guilty by Kidderminster magistrates of causing £692 damage at Frankie and Bennies in Weavers Wharf on October 11.

The conviction against 18-year-old Hillman, of Walter Nash Road West, Birchen Coppice, was confirmed at Worcester Crown Court by Judge Robert Juckes QC sitting with two magistrates.

Hillman now has to do 80 hours unpaid work under a 12-month community order and pay £192 compensation. He was ordered to pay £58 costs to add to the £192 costs imposed by magistrates.

The canopy was set alight by 20-year-old Curtis Arnold at 4.55am. Arnold, who pleaded guilty at the magistrates court, was given four months’ youth custody suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and pay £500 compensation and £60 costs.

Susan Cliff, prosecuting, said Hillman was arrested three days after the fire and admitted to Dc Jon Cooper that he had been drinking at a nightclub before deciding to walk home.

Although he was not visible on CCTV footage, the prosecution alleged he had handed over a lighter to Arnold in a joint enterprise.

Jason Aris, defending, said that Hillman did not smoke or have a lighter and there was scant evidence on which he could be convicted.