A man has been jailed for 10 years and eight months after setting fire to a police van during a demonstration in Leeds city centre.
Hakam Ghaith, 29, of no fixed abode, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, 21 August, for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
The offence happened on Calverley Street, Leeds, on 1 November 2025.
Ghaith used an accelerant to set the police vehicle alight without knowing whether anyone was inside at the time.
No one was injured, but police said his actions placed both himself and members of the public at risk in what was a busy area.
PC Charlotte Sampson, of Leeds CID, said: “Ghaith’s actions that day put himself and others in danger, with him using accelerant to set a police vehicle on fire.
“He did not know if there was anyone in the vehicle at the time, and given how busy the area was, there was also potential for others in the vicinity to be hurt.
“Thankfully, no one was injured, but the damage caused to the vehicle took a vital resource out of service, impacting on our ability to be able to respond to incidents and protect the public.”
Ghaith was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 10 years and eight months in prison.
