A TEENAGER who torched a church in a £250,000 blaze during the firefighters' strike is behind bars for 18 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Raja Munawwar, 18, left the Christ Church Chapel on Every Street, Nelson, a shell, in what his lawyer described as "one moment of madness," but a judge slammed as a "professional arson attack."

The court was told how a Colne police station-based Green Goddess crew was subjected to offensive and abusive taunts when they turned up to fight the blaze last November 24.

Sentencing the defendant, who sobbed in the dock, Recorder John Rose told him:" Your tears are shed for yourself. You should be shedding them for those deprived of a place in which to worship their God. The same you would undoubtedly shed if it was a house in which you worshipped your God."

The judge said in law Munawwar was an adult but his behaviour could not be seen as childishness or a prank. He went on:"It was in my view a wicked act not least because it attacked a house of prayer for at least two denominations of the Christian religion."

Recorder Rose, who had been told by the defendant's solicitor Munawwar did not know the building was a church, added he rejected that suggestion.

He said the offence was aggravated by the fact firemen were on strike and that ordinary citizens were relying on the Armed Forces. He continued: "They were understaffed and under trained and the professional service may have been better placed to fight this particular fire."

After passing sentence, the judge ordered the photos of the gutted premises be taken to see the defendant in the cells and that he look at them one by one.

He went on: "While you are serving your sentence, I want you to think every day of the devastation you caused."

Munawwar, of Hibson Road, Nelson, had earlier admitted arson and burglary. The maximum term the judge could have imposed was two years because Munawwar was 17 at the time of the offence. He was given credit for his guilty pleas.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said the church was used by the local Roman Catholic and Methodist communities as well as for a number of local activities.

A number of Asian youths were setting fire to rubbish skips in the area, but the defendant, although among them, was not responsible.

An Army unit, with "rudimentary equipment," was called to the church blaze and was confronted with hostile comments such as: "I am going to get my AK 47 and kill you," and "Bin Laden is going to get you."

An older man -- who would be referred to as Mr M -- had been inciting others to burn the church down and was heard telling others to kick the door in.

Munawwar forced entry into the premises and took £5.20 from the telephone box. Mr M then suggested the cash should be used to buy petrol from a nearby garage.

Mr Green said the defendant, wearing gloves, went into the church with the fuel and started at least two seats of fire.

Richard Taylor, defending, said at the time of the offence, Munawwar had been making a success of his life and there was no suggestion he was going to be anything other than a decent citizen earning a decent wage.