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A teenager who laughed after setting a homeless man on fire as he slept was jailed today for more than three years.

The victim was tucked up in his sleeping bag in the entrance of a public library when callous Ikramul Hoque told a pal: “Let’s set that guy on fire.”

Christopher Bloomfield had bedded down in the doorway when he described waking up and feeling as if his feet were melting. He then realised his sleeping bag was engulfed in flames.

Today 19-year-old Hoque was behind bars after being sentenced to three years and four months in a Young Offenders’ Institute.

Judge Nicholas Wood, sitting at Reading crown court, told him: “Christopher Bloomfield was a vulnerable, defenceless man.

“Life on the streets must have been difficult and dangerous at the best of times and Mr Bloomfield was entitled to protection.

“He thought the library doorway was a safe refuge, but it wasn’t, because of you.

“He woke up to find pain in his feet and his sleeping bag on fire. That must have been terrifying moment. He said his feet felt like they were burning.

“It was your idea, you thought setting fire to the occupant of the sleeping bag was funny and were laughing.”

CCTV images played to the Judge showed Mr Bloomfield moving around inside the sleeping bag in the entrance of Reading Central Library at around 9.40pm on May 21, last year.

Hoque then walked up to the sleeping tramp, crouched down and lit a corner of his bedding with a cigarette lighter.

As the flames began to spread he fled the scene.

Mr Bloomfield awoke moments later and was helped to put out the flames by a passer-by.

Sandra Beck, prosecuting, said he was fortunate to have suffered only minor injuries.

Hoque had been out in Reading town centre with a pal when the incident happened.

He admitted he had smoked cannabis and drank three bottles of Tequila lager.

He tried to defend his actions claiming: “I was high at the time. I can’t remember.”

Hoque admitted arson being reckless as to the risk of endangering life.

Benjamin Thiele-Long, defending, said Hoque suffered from autism, ADHD and tourettes.

The defendant’s mother sobbed in the public gallery at Reading Crown Court as the teenager, from Reading, Berks., was caged.