West Sussex man behind bars for setting fire to bins in Brighton

"It is fortunate that nobody was hurt as a result of these incidents"

Author: Lettie BuxtonPublished 3rd Dec 2020

A West Sussex man has been jailed for setting fire to bins in Brighton.

Police received multiple reports of bins on fire in central Brighton on Sunday (29 November) and Monday (30 November).

Fire crews attended and the fires were put out.

Police have said no damage was caused, except to the bins themselves, and no injuries were reported.

After police and CCTV enquiries, 48 year-old Mark Wilkinson was arrested and charged with three counts of arson.

Wilkinson, of Brighton Road in Crawley, pleaded guilty to the offences at Brighton Magistrates' Court yesterday (2 December) and has been sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Detective Inspector Glenn Taylor said:

"Deliberately starting fires is extremely dangerous and it is fortunate that nobody was hurt as a result of these incidents.

"Wilkinson caused multiple fires in busy areas with no regard for the safety and welfare of the local community which is completely unacceptable.

"We are pleased the courts have acknowledged the seriousness of these offences by jailing him for six months."

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