A Sandown man who set fire to his own home in a bid to get revenge on his partner has been sentenced to more than 5 years behind bars.
Andrew Turner, 59, of Beachfield Road was charged with arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered following the fire which occurred on the morning of Saturday 26th November 2022.
As previously reported by Island Echo, 5 appliances from Ryde, Shanklin and Ventnor – including the aerial ladder platform from Ryde – were mobilised to the scene on Beachfield Road in the town, opposite the former Post Office.
Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus entered the property to extinguish the blaze, which caused significant damage to the house that Turner – at the time – lived in.
When police attended, Turner approached an officer in the street and admitted he’d committed the act deliberately.
Turner was arrested, and officers found a knife in his pocket. He also told police in interview that he had acted out in ‘revenge’ following the recent breakdown of his relationship.
Appearing at Isle of Wight Crown Court on 30th January this year, he pleaded guilty to the arson as well as a separate charge of possessing a knife in a public place.
At today’s hearing Judge David Melville KC sentenced Turner to 5 years and 4 months in prison.
DC Jodie Parsons said:
“Turner’s actions were incredibly reckless that morning.
“The risk to life when fires are started deliberately is clear. This case is made all the more shocking due to Turner’s own admissions that he was motivated by revenge as a result of not coping with the breakdown of his relationship.
“There is no excuse for acting so dangerously, and Turner has been rightly punished for this.”
Hell has no fury like a man scorned….
Jon Bon Jovi hasn’t aged well…
It was our old MP, the strain of doing so much for our Isle has taking a toll.
Get the Arson bit and the knife due to circumstances – but done for carrying a knife in public place ? Does this mean I can’t buy my steak knives or similar from high street – eg Hurst, Pound land or M&S and walk through town to bus station,on bus and then walk home!. Should have different term eg carrying a knife with intent,use as threat, whilst mentally unwell or for no good reason etc. Like people get done for having a screw driver or hammer in car/van – my dad has two tool boxes of stuff,spare fuel, trolley jack,tyre iron etc which he may need.
There are a few reasons that it it would be legal for carrying a knife/tools
1. Taking knives you use at work to and from work.
2. Taking knives to a gallery or museum to be exhibited.
3. The knife is going to be used for theatre, film, television, historical reenactment or religious purposes, e.g. the kirpan some Sikhs carry.
Too many, mainly young people, using them for the wrong reasons…
Mate you’re sad, get a life no one cares mate
This guy needs serious help. Obviously not a normal thing to do. Let’s hope that prison interment calms him done and his reflection on what he done. Once released mental health help should be a priority.
Sadly his life given his age is over, what’s left after prison?….
We come into this world alone, and we leave it alone…When relationships go wrong at a time that leaves you little time to rebuild, it absolutely devastating…
How not to behave. Lucky no-one was killed. I assume the property insurance refused to pay out?
And they say Pysiognomy isn’t a real science…
Think it’s the eyes more than anything.