Hartlepool arsonist caused £25,000 worth of damage to cars

David Jenkins admits carrying out 12 counts of arson after a number of vehicles were set alight in Hartlepool in incidents on February 19 and 28, and August 18 last year.

Cleveland Police received reports of fires on Caledonian Road, Baden Street, Shrewsbury Street, Lansdowne Road, Osborne Road, and Brinkburn Road, all in Hartlepool.

Fire crews were called to tackle eight arsons on August 18 after the drink-addled 32-year-old carried out his last spate of attacks.

One of the vehicles torched by David Jenkins (Image: IAN COOPER)

Teesside Crown Court heard how the arsonist was under the influence of drink when he carried out his campaign of fire starting.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said the defendant was identified by his brother following one night of destruction.

He said Jenkins torched two cars on the first and second occasion but took it to another level on the third time when he targeted eight cars in one night.

The arson attacks on the cars, which included Range Rovers and Volkswagens, resulted in numerous vehicles being severely damaged.

Mr Abrahams said the owners of the cars had all been left out of pocket and severely impacted by Jenkins’ offending.

David Jenkins (Image: Cleveland Police)

Jenkins, of Lime Crescent, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to 12 charges of arson.

Paul Green, mitigating, said his client’s pre-sentence report showed that the offences were out of character and he had shown genuine remorse for his actions.

Judge Jonathan Carroll branded Jenkins a dangerous offender as he passed a seven-year sentence.

“Over the months, you engaged in a campaign of fire setting following the same pattern, targeting cars, and setting light to them and causing very considerable damage.

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“The cars themselves were of mixed values but the true value of a car is nots its value in pounds and pence, the true value of a car is the value it has to the people who are dependent on it,” he said.

“There has been not rational explanation, or even an attempt to explain, why you behaved in this way.”

Jenkins was jailed for five years and told he would serve two years on extended licence following his release from custody.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Simon Lowther, of Hartlepool CID said: “This spate of arson was dangerous and destructive, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and fear in the community. Jenkins endangered the lives of those living in these areas, with the risk of the fires spreading to houses nearby.”