A ‘GOOD Samaritan’ had his garden room burnt to a shred after kindly cutting his neighbour’s lawn when he was in prison.
Jack Suddaby, 34, of Hull, has be sentenced to three years and nine months after admitting an and putting others lives at risk.
The prosecution told Grimsby Crown Court that had previously been amicable but when Suddaby returned to his home after a short stint in prison he saw red when he noticed his lawn had been cut.
Believing theto be a form of “intrusion”;, enraged Suddaby started a bonfire and began to drink heavily by the flames.
The court heard that, within hours, the and his neighbour – who had gone to bed in the garden room – rushed out to try and stem the blaze.
However, despite his best efforts, the fire spread and savaged his outdoor home, worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Another resident’s garden fence was also destroyed in the blaze.
Fire rescue teams were called at about 9:30pm and discovered a mixture of white vinegar and bleach chemicals on the pit.
The court heard the neighbour suffered from shock as a result of the events of the night.
Richard Butters, defending Suddaby, told how his client had been heavily drinking that night and how he “regrets dreadfully”; what he did.
He said: “He regrets dreadfully what he did. He feels horrible about it and he is showing genuine remorse.”;
Judge Richard Woolfall concluded there was “no rhyme or reason for it”; and Suddaby was jailed for three years and nine months.
What is arson?
In legal terms, – including buildings and vehicles.
The crime falls under theCriminal Damage Act 1971, s.1(3).
Depending on how serious the fire is, arson can either be dealt with in a magistrates or crown court.
There are different types of arson.
These are:
- Arson with intent to endanger life
- Arson with intent to cause criminal damage
What is the punishment for arson?
Sentencing varies depending on the type of arson and where the case is dealt with.
Anyone convicted of arson where minor damage was caused will be given a fine and a community order.
But if the arson is more significant or a person died, they could be sentenced to life in prison.
But most defendants will be charged with manslaughter if someone died in the fire.
This comes as a after being ordered to rip down their home gym after neighbours’ “ludicrous”; complaints.
Emma Woodley and Paul Willis forked out tens of thousands of pounds for the structure on their driveway in Basingstoke,,.
Paul, who runs his own personal training business, believed he would be able to build the single-storey structure without
But the pair have seen their dream work-out space axed after locals moaned it would createon the estate.
The home gym was erected in one of the two spaces on their £440,000, which sparked fear among neighbours the road would be clogged with cars.
Complaints resulted in councillors rejecting the pair’s retrospective application on the grounds it would “set a precedent”;.
