By ‘Reckless’ man sentenced after burning down elderly persons home
A ‘reckless’ man who set fire to a bungalow has been sentenced to more than 11 years in jail.
Dean Dowler, 42, of Westport Road, Cleethorpes, pleaded guilty to one count of arson with intent in relation to an incident on Thursday 14 July and was sentenced to 11 years and nine months when he appeared at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday 2 December.
Dowler approached a property on Tetney Road, Humberston, whilst in disguise and set fire to garden furniture. The fire then spread to the property itself.
DC Wayne Martin said: “This was a premeditated attack with a financial motive. By wearing a disguise, Dowler thought he could get away with this horrible crime.
“The occupant of the property is understandably devastated by the incident. They lost not only their home, but priceless items. Nothing will ever be able to replace those.
“Dowler set fire to the garden furniture and left the scene without any consideration that the fire would spread to the property.
“I hope this sentence gives Dowler plenty of time to consider the recklessness of his actions and the devastating affects these could have had.”
In their personal statement, the victim said: “My mental health has been badly affected. I have not had a full night’s sleep since the incident.
“Had I been at home when the defendant set fire to my house, it’s highly likely that I would have been killed.
“Now I am faced with the daunting task of replacing most of my possessions. Some of my possessions are irreplaceable, eg photographs of my wedding, my son growing up, and my grandchildren. This incident has broken my heart.”
Judge John Thackray KC said: “You said your intention was to set fire to the garden furniture and that you did not intend it to spread like it did, but I do not believe that. Your wig was found in the fire in the bedroom.
“You were reckless as to whether life was endangered.”
Dowler was sentenced to 11 years and nine months, with a minimum term of four years and six months.
