Clitheroe man who made bomb threat jailed for arson
Andrew Dewhurst was imprisoned for 3 years and 8 months
A man who set fire to his flat and threatened to make a bomb has been jailed for 44 months.
Andrew Dewhurst, 51, was sentenced last Tuesday (11th November) at Burnley Crown Court after pleading guilty to arson with intent to endanger life.
On the morning of 2nd March, emergency services were called to Piccadilly Close in Clitheroe following reports of a disturbance. Dewhurst was behaving erratically, throwing items out of his flat window and claiming that he was making a bomb.
Officers tried to engage with Dewhurst, but he refused to leave the property. He warned, “You best get out,” and referenced the fire.
Neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution, and colleagues from the fire service entered Dewhurst’s flat, prompting him to finally leave the address. He was then arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
DC Katie Hunter from Burnley CID praised the emergency services, saying, “Firstly, I would like to personally say thank you to the emergency services that initially attended the scene - the fire service and the initial uniform officers - who put themselves into an incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation to save someone's life. Without their response and bravery, I am certain that the outcome of this incident would have been very different.
“I know Dewhurst’s behaviour was particularly concerning to his neighbours, and I welcome the sentence handed down to him which will give the local community some much-needed respite."