Men jailed after deliberate fire in Luton

Three men have been jailed after they set fire to an estate agents in Luton, while the occupants of the flat above were home.

Glen Ratcliffe, 36, Darren Smith, 42, and Paul Mitchell, 52, started multiple fires around the building’s front entrance and rear in the early hours of 14 August 2022.

Four occupants of the flat above the estates agents managed to escape upon realising the building was on fire. A woman was taken to hospital but later released with no serious injuries.

Ratcliffe, of Crescent Road, Luton, Smith, of St Loyes Street, Bedford, and Mitchell, of Library Road, Luton, were sentenced at the Old Bailey on after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

Both Ratcliffe and Smith were sentenced to four years in prison.

Mitchell, who was found guilty of the same offence following a trial at Luton Crown Court in February, and was sentenced to five years.

Detective Constable Ciaran O’Brien from Bedfordshire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department said:

“This was a deliberate and dangerous act that put lives at risk, and such behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents in Bedfordshire, and shall spare no effort in our pursuit of individuals who post a threat to our communities.”