A man who started two fires at the same address in High Wycombe - which led to five people having to be rescued by firefighters - has been jailed for more than nine years.

Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to two counts of arson with intent/reckless as to whether life was endangered during a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday and was imprisoned this morning.

The 29-year-old, of Buckingham Close, High Wycombe, set fire to a property in West Wycombe Road late in the evening of Thursday, February 19 - before returning to the scene a few hours later to start a second blaze.

Five people had to be rescued from the house as a result, with one being taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Thomas was jailed for nine years for the arsons, and was given a consecutive three month prison sentence after admitting to the breach of a court order.

He was arrested and charged with the offences the day after the first arson attack.