A local man who police say wanted to "burn the city, little by little" was sentenced to two years in jail Monday after pleading guilty to several charges in Newburyport District Court.
Brett Henderson, 40, of Merrimac Street was initially charged with burning a building, disorderly conduct (two counts), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and attempting to set a fire. The charges cover two separate incidents, both in December 2021.
But in an effort to keep Henderson's case in District Court rather than see him indicted and arraigned in Superior Court, the charge of burning a building was reduced to malicious destruction of property more than $1,200. The charge of attempting to set a fire charge was also reduced to attempted malicious destruction of property.