A 54-year-old man from Fenton has been slammed with a hefty jail sentence after setting multiple fires across Stoke-on-Trent earlier this year. Tony Stockdale pleaded guilty to four arson charges, including one that could have endangered lives.
Blazes Ripped Through Stoke Streets in April
- April 23: Wheelie bin at Longton Snooker Club set ablaze, with oil poured on the flames.
- April 25, 9pm: Huge commercial bin set on fire near The Wheatsheaf pub on Church Street.
- Early hours April 26: Bin fire near Tesco Express on Hartshill Road damaged a fence.
- Later April 26: Fires broke out in an alley on Boothen Road, a wheelie bin on Cranmer Street, a public bin nearby, and four bins on Gerrard Street.
Jail Time and Licence Extension for Stoke Arsonist
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court sentenced Stockdale on 12 November to five years and four months in prison for arson with intent to endanger life. He received concurrent sentences for the other three counts of arson and will face an extended licence period of two years and eight months after release.
Police Praise Investigation and Conviction
Stockdale was identified swiftly thanks to CCTV footage. Despite refusing to comment during police interviews, he later admitted all charges in court.
Sergeant Colin Hitchins, Staffordshire Police, said: “Stockdale carried out a substantial and targeted series of arson activities that put himself and the wider public at risk. I’m pleased he admitted his offending and that the judge saw fit to impose a considerable jail term.”
