Maine Man Sentenced for Arson Spree

A 21-year-old Maine man who set fire to more than a dozen cars over a two-hour period has been ordered to spend eight years in prison.

Thomas Cassidy of Portland pleaded guilty to 21 counts of arson Wednesday in Cumberland County Superior Court.

Cassidy apologized for randomly setting 15 cars on fire as he wandered around the Portland peninsula between 4 a.m and 6 a.m. in April 2008. Three of the blazes spread to nearby buildings, but nobody was hurt.

Cassidy said his troubled upbringing and the drugs that helped him cope were no excuse for his actions.

Officials said the fires caused more than $500,000 in damages to the cars and buildings.