Man Jailed for Nearly Seven Years After Blaze Destroys Lincoln A&E
John Gillon Watson, 57, has been locked up for six years and nine months for setting fire to Lincoln County Hospital’s A&E, causing almost £2 million in damage. The reckless blaze on 20 January forced staff to divert patients and shut down vital emergency services.
Serious Arson Case Shakes Local Hospital
Watson, from Vicarage Court, Sleaford, went into the hospital as a patient before deliberately starting the fire. Lincoln Crown Court heard how the incident risked endangering lives and brought chaos to the busy emergency department.
Copper Warns of Dangerous Arson Threat
123 Patten from Lincoln CID, who led the investigation, said:
“This was one of the most serious and reckless cases of arson we have ever dealt with; the potential for harm should that fire have escalated is unthinkable. The impact on the community and the hospital teams has been profound, with patients having to be diverted to other treatment centres, and clean up and repair impacting the use of a busy emergency department. This would have been very frightening for staff and patients, and I hope that today’s sentencing goes some way to providing some comfort that justice has been served against the individual responsible.”
Maximum Extended Licence on Release
Alongside his jail term, Watson received the maximum extended licence period of five years. This strict parole arrangement follows his conviction for arson with recklessness as to whether life is endangered, sending a strong message on fire safety and criminal responsibility.
