Victim blasts ‘unjust’ sentence (From The Northern Echo)

Victim blasts ‘unjust’ sentence

10:57am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Bishop Auckland News By Duncan Leatherdale

CAR TORCHED: Robert Saunders

A MAN whose van was torched outside his home has criticised the “unjust” sentence handed to those responsible.

As previously reported in The Northern Echo, Paul Bedingfield and Bryan Lee Dougall were given suspended prison sentences after setting fire to the van in Willington, County Durham, last June.

The pair were sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, at Durham Crown Court a week ago.

Now the van’s owner, Robert Saunders, has called the sentences unjust and is also complaining to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over the investigation.

He said that the arson attack on his van in the early hours of June 4 followed a string of incidents involving the two men and a third party.

Mr Saunders, 57, said: “I just walked out of court and couldn’t believe they weren’t going to jail. It is only luck that no one was hurt.”

The van was parked outside Mr Saunders’ home in Cedar Crescent next to a caravan, which had gas canisters on the back, and his neighbour’s new car. Fortunately the blaze did not spread.

Mr Saunders said: “There has been no justice here, we are still suffering.

“My insurance for my new car has more than doubled as a result and we are still living in fear.”

Durham Crown Court heard that Bedingfield, whose brother had “issues” with Mr Saunders, recruited Dougall for the attack in a pub.

Bedingfield was seen pouring petrol over the van and placing a lit rag underneath before the pair drove away.

Bedingfield, 28, of Sandringham Terrace, Leaholme, near Bishop Auckland, was arrested later on June 4 and, after initially denying any involvement, admitted his part.

Dougall, 30, of Croft Street in Crook, handed himself in four days later after hearing that Bedingfield’s brother had been arrested for the offence.

Both were also ordered to pay £580 in compensation, while Dougall was ordered to complete 18 months probation supervision including nine months of alcohol treatment and Bedingfield was given a 12-month community order and a 60-day curfew from 7pm to 7am.

A police spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment on Mr Saunder’s complaint as the IPCC is expected to investigate.