Craig Cullen pleads guilty to Oxygen nightclub arson Published duration 8 October 2014

media caption CCTV footage captured Craig Cullen starting the blaze

An arsonist has admitted trying to torch a Swansea nightclub packed with 200 people.

Craig Cullen, 29, was caught on CCTV throwing petrol over the back door of the city centre Oxygen venue.

The fuel set Cullen's own shoes alight when he lit the petrol and he was caught by club staff as he tried to flee in the early hours of 20 April.

Cullen, of Mayhill, Swansea, admitted arson with intent to endanger life at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday.

'Extremely dangerous'

The court heard Cullen tried to start the fire after getting into an argument in the street outside the club with his ex-girlfriend.

image copyright Wales News Service image caption Club owner Kai Lui spotted Cullen on CCTV

He told her that if she got into the club he would torch it and sent her a text message saying: "I'm going to burn it down."

Club owner Kai Lui said: "We put the safety of clubbers first and we ensure all our 31 cameras are monitored at all times.

"As soon as we saw what was happening we went to the fire exit and got hold of the culprit until the police came."

The court was played CCTV that showed Cullen climbing the fire escape before splashing petrol all over the steel door and setting it alight.

Cullen, who also admitted assaulting Mr Lui in the subsequent struggle, will be sentenced in November.

image copyright Wales News Service

image copyright Wales News Service

image copyright Wales News Service