Man jailed for arson at block of flats in Bracknell
Police say it was fortunate the fire was spotted before anyone was hurt
A man has been jailed for an arson in Bracknell.
Barry Newman, aged 54, of South Lynn Crescent, Bracknell, was sentenced on Friday (11/8) at Reading Crown Court to three years and three months’ imprisonment.
Newman was also told to pay a victim surcharge.
Newman pleaded guilty to one count of arson with reckless endangerment to life at the same hearing.
At around 11pm on 14 June last year, Newman set fire to a recycling bin outside a block of flats in Threshfield.
Newman watched the fire, tentatively opening and closing the lid of the bin before walking away.
The fire grew and reached the ceiling beneath a block of flats, directly underneath a flat, all of which was captured on CCTV.
The resident, a man in his thirties, was unaware of the fire, which was directly below his bedroom.
A neighbour of an adjoining property extinguished the fire with a bucket filled from his outside tap.
Newman was arrested on 23 June last year and was charged on 14 November last year.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Robert Chevalier said:
“Thankfully, the fire was extinguished and no one was injured as a result of Newman’s actions.
“Fire can be deadly. This incident could have been significantly worse without the actions of the neighbours who extinguished the fire.
“If you have any information related to arson in Thames Valley, please contact us by calling 101 or make a report online.
“If you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact the independent charity Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 and they will take your information 100% anonymously.”