Young arsonist behind bars after fire-raising spree in Bishop Auckland

5:40pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News Static HTML image By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

A TEENAGE arsonist seemed to enjoy his moment in the spotlight following his arrest after starting three fires in less than half-an-hour.

John Ashley Kinsella was today (Friday March 1) given a 27-month sentence in a young offenders’ institution after admitting three counts of arson, stemming from a night of disorder on Bishop Auckland’s Woodhouse Close Estate.

Durham Crown Court heard that Kinsella, with an accomplice, started fires at Aclet Close Nursery School, an Iceland store and at Homebase DIY, between 12.50 and 1.15am on Wednesday August 8 last year.

In each case alarms sounded and firefighters arrived to quickly put out the blazes, restricting the damage to a total of about £6,000.

Kieran Rainey, prosecuting, said holes were smashed in windows with burning material thrown through to start two of the blazes, while a metal container was set alight at the side of Iceland.

Mr Rainey said the fire crews reported seeing two youths in the area laughing and jeering, waving what appeared to be lighters.

Police searched for suspects and 19-year-old Kinsella was stopped in the company of another youth, but both fled in different directions.

Kinsella was eventually caught and arrested after a struggle with PC Alan Bates in which he tried to bite his face.

But Kinsella was, in return, bitten in the leg by PC Bates’ dog, Dixie.

PC Bates suffered a broken bone in the hand in the incident, for which Kinsella was previously jailed for three months, for resisting an officer.

Mr Rainey told the court an officer who assisted PC Bates described Kinsella as appearing drunk.

“He was aggressive and shouting loudly for all local residents to hear.

“The officer formed the view that the defendant was enjoying his moment reminding everyone of his identity as if he were a local hero.”

Despite initially denying involvement, forensic evidence linked him to the fires and Kinsella made admissions at the plea hearing, in January.

Mr Rainey added that the offences took place on a night of vandalism on the estate, with widespread graffiti spraying, windows smashed, while fire engines were pelted with stones.

The court heard Kinsella, now 20, of Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, has 45 convictions for 70 offences, including a previous arson when he set fire to his cell at a young offenders’ institution, nearly killing himself.

Chris Baker, mitigating, said despite his depressing background there is a “glimmer of hope” for Kinsella following the recent birth of his first child, which may help him to mend his ways.

Imposing the custodial sentence, Judge Christopher Prince said Kinsella’s spree appeared to be “showing off” to his peer group.

Comments(6)

Little owl says...
6:13pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Sadly I know of this young'un and a little of his background, and knowing of this, it dose on suprise me one bit that he has gone off the rails in such a way. The system has let him down and I dont say that lightly, because we should all know the difference between right and wrong. I think it is a real shame that this kid has gone the way that he has, dragged up, un loved and forgotten about, personally I think scocial services have a lot to answer for here, and one thing for is sure breeding wont change him, he I have no doupt will bring up his child in the same way as he was, and so the circle of dispair continues.

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Idontknowaboutyoubut says...
8:53am Sun 3 Mar 13

What you say is correct,Little Owl.There is ample evidence around here to support your view.The kids are not brought up to know the difference between right and wrong,or to respect others.They are taught to hate the forces of law and order,and those who do go to school are frequently excluded due to their behaviour.Anyone who remonstrates with them,faces parental anger,and reprisals.In short,they are being groomed as the next generation of crooks, thugs and drug dealers.Harsh words maybe,but they are the words of bitter experience.Toughen up the sentences now,for the protection of society.Forget about rehabilitation.They are past saving.

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John Justice says...
9:02pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Little owl makes some good points about Kinsella but I disagree with his comment about social services. The "system" begins within the family, not with social services. It is true that within his "family" Kinsella may have been let down. Couple this with a group of other factors and he did not have much of a chance from the day he was born but it is not the fault of social services that this recidivist has over 70 offences recorded against him. Research has shown a host of risk factors that show that some children are more likely than others to become criminals. These factors include Poor schooling, Criminality in the family, Poverty, low intelligence, low educational attainment, lack of strong family ties, the list goes on, none of which will surprise many people. In fact in some areas of Bishop Auckland these factors and others pointing to the increased risk of future criminality can be found in a significant number of other families some of whom will go on to become active criminals while others to their credit will not. Kinsella committed these and many other offences within the community in which he lives. He has free will to decide whether or not to commit criminal acts and does not deserve any sympathy whatsoever. The community in which he lived can now have some respite from such an obnoxious criminal.

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Little owl says...
9:28pm Sun 3 Mar 13

John Justice wrote:
Little owl makes some good points about Kinsella but I disagree with his comment about social services. The "system" begins within the family, not with social services. It is true that within his "family" Kinsella may have been let down. Couple this with a group of other factors and he did not have much of a chance from the day he was born but it is not the fault of social services that this recidivist has over 70 offences recorded against him. Research has shown a host of risk factors that show that some children are more likely than others to become criminals. These factors include Poor schooling, Criminality in the family, Poverty, low intelligence, low educational attainment, lack of strong family ties, the list goes on, none of which will surprise many people. In fact in some areas of Bishop Auckland these factors and others pointing to the increased risk of future criminality can be found in a significant number of other families some of whom will go on to become active criminals while others to their credit will not. Kinsella committed these and many other offences within the community in which he lives. He has free will to decide whether or not to commit criminal acts and does not deserve any sympathy whatsoever. The community in which he lived can now have some respite from such an obnoxious criminal.
I wasnt blaming social services I was stating that they had a lot to answer for. As a child this kid could have been removed from the destructive home life that he was in but social services said that he was in a loving home and that he would be better off staying put. I tried to help him and so did a freind of mine, we both failed, and i beleive that, that was because he had never had anyone in his life that had acutally shown him compassion and he had no idea how to respond to the help. Having said that I dont condone his actions and he has done wrong and should be, and has been, punished. On a final note at the time of me knowing him I was in a position too help but was told not to get involved, as he was beyond help, at the time I didnt believe that.

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John Justice says...
2:36pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Littleowl, I understand what you are saying and you confirm my comments regarding poor family circumstances which have a destructive influence on a child. Kinsella was a lost soul as soon as he was born but I still do not believe Social Services would have had a positive impact on his life and it saddens me to say that. What I do see as a positive is that there are people like yourself and others who do attempt to help but for whatever reason are ignored. Removing him may well have helped but remove him to where?. I have worked in Childrens homes and found them to have little impact in a young persons formative years in keeping them on the straight and narrow. That is not to say they do not have some success, they do but given the history of this mans circumstances I feel he would have turned out the way he did anyway. I agree with your comment about his child but hope that we will both be wrong.

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Little owl says...
2:37pm Wed 6 Mar 13

I think I have to concead Mr Justice and say that you are probably right.

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