A Brewster man with a history of mental illness and substance abuse problems has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for burning down a Cape Cod church.

Adam Finnegan was also sentenced this week in Barnstable Superior Court to 10 years of probation.

The sentence was less than the five years requested by prosecutors, in part because the pastor and parishioners at Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church asked the judge for leniency so the 30-year-old Finnegan could get the help he needed.

Finnegan was convicted in February of torching the Brewster church in November 2012. No one was hurt in the three-alarm blaze. The 12,800-square foot church is less than two miles from Finnegan's home.

The Cape Cod Times reports that Finnegan's parents exchanged hugs with parishioners after sentencing.  (Associated Press)

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