Arson Fiend Jailed for Life After Setting Fires Near Oxygen Tanks at Hospital
Firestarter Targets Medway Maritime Hospital
Luke French, 29, sparked panic at Medway Maritime Hospital in September 2018 when he deliberately set two fires dangerously close to oxygen tanks and mobile MRI scanners. The fires were started less than a metre away from lorries housing the expensive medical equipment.
Quick-Thinking Staff Stop Disaster
French sneaked onto hospital grounds around 10pm on 5 September and ignited rubbish stored in an outdoor cage, plus a nearby wheelie bin. Thanks to swift action by hospital staff who doused the flames before serious damage, a major catastrophe was averted.
Caught on CCTV and Locked Up
Security chased French off site, and Kent Police arrested him shortly after midnight. CCTV footage was clear. French admitted recklessly endangering life by arson and was sentenced to life imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on 5 July 2019, with a minimum of five years behind bars.
Police Warn of Dangerous Public Threat
“French’s reckless actions needlessly endangered a huge amount of lives,” said Police Constable Dennigan Tyson. “He also risked destroying lifesaving medical equipment worth over £1 million, which would have caused massive disruption.”
“The strong sentence reflects the very real threat he poses to public safety, ensuring he is no longer a danger.”
