Man who set fire to two Kent hospitals sentenced
23/01/2013
A man who attempted to set fire to two hospitals in Kent has been sentenced to eight years in prison with an extended licence period of four years.
Thomas Ashcroft appeared at Canterbury Crown Court for sentencing today (Tuesday 22 January) for three charges of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered; one at the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, one at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and the final one at the Hilton Hotel in Victoria Quays, Sheffield. He was charged with three counts of burglary at the same premises at the same time. The offences all took place in July and August 2012. In each case, the buildings were evacuated, giving Ashcroft the opportunity to steal cash from the premises.
The fire at the Medway Maritime Hospital caused damage estimated at between £10,000 and £15,000. Four hospital wards were evacuated, with one part of the hospital out of action for over four hours as a result of the fire.
The estimated cost of the damage at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital was in excess of £30,000, with five hospital wards and around 300 patients, staff and visitors evacuated for about an hour. This included the oncology department, meaning treatment had to be delayed for cancer patients.
Ashcroft asked for eight further offences of burglary to be taken into consideration, six of which also involved setting fires, at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, the Sea Life Centre, the Dome Cinema and the Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton, the Hilton Hotel at Gatwick Airport and the Crawley Hospital. The other two premises he targeted were the Rotherham Hospital and the Boating Pool in Ramsgate.
Crown Advocate for the CPS South East Martin Yale said: "Mr. Ashcroft has been convicted of extremely serious offences, including the arson charges, which would certainly have been the more frightening for anyone at the two hospitals that were evacuated. Mr Ashcroft put vulnerable people's lives in danger, including cancer patients and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, all for minimal financial gain for himself. His main purpose was to steal money and he started the fires to create a distraction, so he could carry out the burglaries, with no thought of the consequences it would have for others."
