A MAN has been sent to prison for five years for trying to firebomb a Swindon mosque.

Mark Bulman, of Montrose Close, Moredon, was jailed today after throwing a bomb through the window and scrawling racist graffiti on the Broad Street mosque in August.

Bulman, 22, admitted attempted arson, four counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon at an earlier hearing.

Det Insp Tim Corner of Swindon CID said: "Crimes of this nature can have an adverse impact on local communities and create fear.

"The sentencing today is a clear message that hate crime is taken seriously."

For full report and reaction see Saturday's Swindon Advertiser.