Norwich Bombay Spice owner vows to carry on after arson

Kalam Miah has been left upset that Alvydas Ozolas who admitted burglary and arson at the Bombay Spice restaurant in St Augustines Street, Norwich, has not been forced to repay the "thousands of pounds" worth of damage he caused.

Bombay Spice Indian restaurant (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Ozolas broke a window and forced his way into the restaurant in the early hours of the morning before breaking a water pipe, resulting in more than a foot of water flooding into the basement, and lit three separate fires before stealing cash and a tablet.

Earlier this year at Norwich Crown Court, Ozolas, then 48, was jailed for 12 months for the crimes committed on April 2 last year when he was "highly intoxicated".

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Mr Miah said he was "not happy" with the sentence handed down to Ozolas who he thinks should have had to pay towards the cost of the damage he had caused.

He said: "I was shocked when I heard the judgement - he should've had a good punishment."

Mr Miah said the break in and arson had cost him "thousands" and money should be "cut from his benefits".

He said: "He not only came for some money, he came here to burn the place down or something.

"The window is still not fixed because of the amount of money it would cost to fix because it's a listed building area and has to be like for like.

"I have to find someone who would do this kind of job - it's not easy to find."

Boarded up window at back of Bombay Spice Indian restaurant (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)But despite his upset at what has happened, Mr Miah insisted he never considered quitting.

He said he was "determined to carry on" and "that's what I'm doing".

Mr Miah was "happy" with his customers who were still coming in and supporting him and the business since the break-in and said they felt "sorry" he was a victim.