Man sentenced following deliberate fire setting at his girlfriend's family home
Posted on 22 December 2022
Twenty-six-year-old Declan Gilluley was staying at the address in Cox’s Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, when he set light to multiple firelighter blocks in the early hours of October 22 last year.
Emergency services were called to the property at 5:05am, and fire crews used two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet, rapid deployment, to extinguish the fire.
Gilluley, who placed the firelighter blocks on an armchair and settee, originally claimed to have been woken by the blaze before he and the other occupants fled the property.
He later admitted to starting the fire by setting light to multiple firelighter blocks around the downstairs of the property.
Gilluley pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless arson at an earlier hearing and appeared at Nottingham Crown Court last Friday for sentencing.
He was jailed for six years and will also spend an additional four years on licence.
Detective Constable Gareth Peace, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Gilluley’s actions that night were reckless in the extreme.
“He set several fires downstairs as his victims were sleeping above him and could easily have cost multiple people their lives.
“I am pleased that he later accepted full responsibility for what he did and that he is now serving a significant jail sentence.”
Tim Marston, Fire Investigation Officer for the incident, said "I’m pleased that justice has been served in this instance. The substantial commitment to the use of resources in the joint fire investigation between Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Police confirms our continued commitment to keeping our communities safe.
"Our thoughts are with the family affected by this fire. They escaped by the narrowest of margins and are no doubt still coming to terms with what happened.
"I’d urge everyone to check they have working smoke alarms in preparation for the festive period, and check smoke alarms for any elderly family or neighbours who may not be able to effectively test theirs.
"Anyone without a smoke alarm is encouraged to contact Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service."
