A part-time firefighter has admitted plotting a series of blazes across Shropshire and Staffordshire. The part-time firefighter, 31, admitted conspiring to damage property by fire between 29 June 2014 and 3 September 2014.
He will be sentenced in the new year after psychiatric reports. A 36-year-old colleague from Albrighton, also faced the charges but was found dead days before a previous court appearance.
Both fire-fighters were with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service with and whilst based at Minsterley fire station during the summer of 2014, one of the fire-fighters was amongst the first on the scene at arson attacks, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
The police automatic number plate recognition system and one of the fire-fighters’ mobile phone location put him in the vicinity of the fires before the emergency services were called.
Emily Lenham, from West Midlands CPS, said: “Through his deliberate and callous actions, a man entrusted by the fire service to protect the public from the dangers of fire, not only damaged property belonging to others but also placed his colleagues and the victims of the fires, some of whom were known to him, at risk of harm.
“It is evident that he gained personal satisfaction and enjoyment from setting the fires and causing damage to property which, given his position as a firefighter, presents a substantial breach of trust.”
source: BBC News
