Teenager admits arson spree in Bishop Auckland

5:28pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News Static HTML image By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

A TEENAGER has admitted starting a series of fires at several premises round a town one evening last summer.

John Ashley Kinsella’s fire-raising spree included two stores and a nursery school, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Wednesday August 8.

Kinsella, 19, pleaded ‘guilty’ to three counts of arson during a short hearing at Durham Crown Court today (Wednesday January 9).

He admitted starting fires at Homebase DIY store in Bishop Auckland, in which about £500 worth of damage was caused, at the nearby Iceland frozen food store, causing approximately £2,146 worth of damage, and at Aclet Close Nursery School, on the town’s Woodhouse Close estate, which suffered damage estimated at £2,886.

Asked by Judge Christopher Prince about the nature of the offences, prosecuting barrister Kieran Rainey told the court: “Fortunately in each case the fire brigade was on scene quite promptly to deal with the fires.

“They appear to have been started by pains of glass being broken and lit pieces of paper being pushed through the holes.

“When the firefighters arrived to deal with them there were reports of youths in the area waving lighters in the air.

“They were not reported as high level fires and in each case one appliance has been able to put out the resulting fires.

“There appears to have been no suggestion of petrol being used.”

Chris Baker, for Kinsella, asked for the preparation of both psychiatric and probation background reports on his client before he is sentenced.

“He’s 19 and has a previous conviction for arson on his record as well as several offences of criminal damage.

“The defence take the view that a court would not want to sentence in such a case without the benefit of a report by a psychiatrist.

“We know the sentence will be one of custody, but the only issue which needs to be addressed will be that of the potential dangerousness of the defendant.”

Judge Christopher Prince agreed to the request, adding: “The issue of dangerousness will need to be considered.

“I’ll also want some details of the previous arson offence and the criminal damage cases when he is brought back for sentence.”

Kinsella, of Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, was remanded in custody prior to sentence on Friday March 1.

Comments (5)

9:28pm Wed 9 Jan 13

blaze467 says...

The problem with this type, is that their attention can become focused on any class of victim that comes to their mind. He should be held at her majesties pleasure, Now; but it will likely need a third offence and someone to die before this will happen.
The problem with this type, is that their attention can become focused on any class of victim that comes to their mind. He should be held at her majesties pleasure, Now; but it will likely need a third offence and someone to die before this will happen. blaze467

9:48pm Wed 9 Jan 13

ExWVDC says...

If I remember rightly, this individual was the youngest person to be given an ASBO when he was 12, he certainly learned his lesson..............
If I remember rightly, this individual was the youngest person to be given an ASBO when he was 12, he certainly learned his lesson.............. ExWVDC

10:35am Thu 10 Jan 13

the-big-yin says...

ExWVDC wrote:
If I remember rightly, this individual was the youngest person to be given an ASBO when he was 12, he certainly learned his lesson..............
he is a little s.h.i.t. bag....
he will get let off with some small fine and counselling.....that
's what our super judicial system will give him...he is a fire bug waiting to kill someone.....scum...
[quote][p][bold]ExWVDC[/bold] wrote: If I remember rightly, this individual was the youngest person to be given an ASBO when he was 12, he certainly learned his lesson..............[/p][/quote]he is a little s.h.i.t. bag.... he will get let off with some small fine and counselling.....that 's what our super judicial system will give him...he is a fire bug waiting to kill someone.....scum... the-big-yin

11:42am Thu 10 Jan 13

Idontknowaboutyoubut says...

Quite right Big Yin.The older he gets,the more dangerous to society he becomes. He needs to be locked up untill he learns the error of his ways.Guess that will be a long time.He should have been sorted out years ago,along with all the other scum-sucking pond life that infest our towns....!!
Quite right Big Yin.The older he gets,the more dangerous to society he becomes. He needs to be locked up untill he learns the error of his ways.Guess that will be a long time.He should have been sorted out years ago,along with all the other scum-sucking pond life that infest our towns....!! Idontknowaboutyoubut

12:48pm Thu 10 Jan 13

stevegg says...

This boy (he doesnt deserve to be called a man) is a one person crime wave in Bishop Auckland. He is one of lifes scroungers & lowlifes who is going to be nothing but a burden and threat to society all his life. He should be locked up for a long sentance, but no doubt this oxygen thiefs rights will come above all else and he will be portrayed as the victim getting a lenient sentance. The general public have a right to be protected against his kind who will end up killing someone before any meaningful action is taken.
This boy (he doesnt deserve to be called a man) is a one person crime wave in Bishop Auckland. He is one of lifes scroungers & lowlifes who is going to be nothing but a burden and threat to society all his life. He should be locked up for a long sentance, but no doubt this oxygen thiefs rights will come above all else and he will be portrayed as the victim getting a lenient sentance. The general public have a right to be protected against his kind who will end up killing someone before any meaningful action is taken. stevegg

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