A Ryde man who admitted arson after he put a hot disposable BBQ in a green wheelie bin causing it to catch fire, has been handed an 18-month community order.
At his first court hearing on 23rd May, Lee Cross, 36, of Sherbourne Avenue in Ryde pleaded guilty to 4x assault by beating of an emergency worker, 2x common assault of an emergency worker, drink driving, using threatening words/behaviour to cause harassment alarm or distress and arson when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday
Liz Miller, prosecuting, told the court that on the 15th April Police received reports that a wheelie bin was on fire near Cross’ home address.
CCTV footage captured on a nearby Ring doorbell showed Cross on his neighbour’s property. Then, just a short while later, the CCTV showed the green recycling bin well alight down a side alley.
The bin was put in the road by the owner who then called the Police. Firefighters from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were also called.
Hose reel jets were quickly used to extinguish the blaze with Cross attempting to put the blaze out himself with a solitary bucket of water.
On 5th May, Cross was seen on Garfield Road in Ryde in his Mazda 2 and was challenged by a member of the public who thought he might have been drink driving. Police were called after Cross and the male in question became embroiled in a war of words with Cross directing abuse toward the good Samaritan.
Cross became aggressive towards the officers and resisted their attempts to arrest him, spitting at 1 officer and kicking another. Having been taken to Newport Police Station Cross then attempted to bite 2 officers whilst he was still detained.
At the Police Station, a specimen was taken for analysis which returned a reading of 71 – the legal limit is 35.
Defending, Michael McGoldrick said that his client had made full and frank admissions in interview. He also added that Cross had been having a BBQ at his home and that he had used his neighbour’s bin because his was full, but didn’t realise that the BBQ was still hot when he placed it in the bin. It was also heard how Cross was a military veteran who suffered with numerous mental health related issues including PTSD.
Cross appeared once more at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court for sentencing on 6th July.
At that hearing, Magistrates handed Cross an 18-month community order with 25 rehabilitation days and an 90-alcohol abstinence requirement attached.
He was banned from driving for 20 months, made subject of an 18-month restraining order and ordered to pay £200 compensation, £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge fee.
Should of sent the twat to prison. PTSD MY ASS.
PTSD and mental health issues, get my violin.
Guy is a scumbag, nothing more .
Very lax laws on the island
Do you mean as opposed to off the island? Are criminals given different sentences on the mainland generally? Are there any examples?
As our prisons in the UK are now overly filled with our own, and much of the third worlds newcomers there is no room to jail anything but the very worst of offenders now.
The crims know this, hence we are getting more and more.
We need to end the flood of such into the UK and only accept on visas those who may be of use and first crime and out for good, along with anything it has created whilst being here too imo
While Mr. Cross’s actions are regrettable, it’s crucial to consider his mental health struggles, including PTSD, as a military veteran. The incident with the BBQ seems to be a careless mistake rather than intentional arson. His aggressive behavior, while inexcusable, may be linked to his mental health issues. Rehabilitation, not punishment, should be the focus here.
i can assure you there was no bbq involved with cctv footage to back it up so please do not defend his actions, hes a scum bag
Lies, the scumbag will get its comeuppance soon like they all do.