Carlisle man jailed for arson and burglary
Joseph Sessford stole various items from a property before setting fire to it as he left
A Carlisle man has been sentenced to six years in prison after committing burglary and arson in July 2025.
Joseph Sessford, 40, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on 27th November 2025. He had pleaded guilty to burglary and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered at an earlier hearing.
The court was told that Sessford broke into an address on Mayfield Avenue on 2nd July 2025, where he stole various items including wine, a joint of beef, tools, and trainers.
He placed the stolen goods into a suitcase before setting fire to the living room curtains, the bed, and another suitcase, leaving the property as the blaze took hold.
Sessford was arrested on 22nd July in Whitehaven.
Detective highlights seriousness of the crime
Detective Constable Jakub Wysocki of Cumberland CID spoke about the impact of the crime: “Sessford’s actions had a serious impact on his victim and it is fortunate there were not more serious consequences.
“Given that the victim’s bungalow was attached to another property, there was a very realistic prospect that, if not for quick response from the Fire Service, the fire would have spread to adjacent property and could have endangered residents’ life.
“I hope the sentencing today shows how seriously police and the courts take these types of offences.”