A man “fascinated” with fire has been jailed for a further four years and six months for setting fire to a number of cars at a scrap-car garage in Stockport.
James Bellamy,28 was sentenced today at Manchester Crown Court to an extended jail term of four years and six months, with an extension period of two years, after pleading guilty to the offence of Arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
He was previously convicted for Arson with intent to endanger life in January 2015, and was sentenced to seven years in prison. He was released to serve the remainder of his sentence on licence in November 2017.
The court heard that in April 2019 two cars near to the boundary wall of a scrap car garage on Brewery Street in Stockport, were deliberately set alight using an accelerant. This then spread to a nearby caravan where a 63-year-old man was sleeping. Fortunately, the man woke up, and was able to get out of the caravan in time. The incident also caused approximately £1,000 worth of damage.
A black VW Golf was seen acting suspiciously in the area and Police later attributed this vehicle to Bellamy via CCTV evidence. Examination of Bellamy’s mobile phone data also showed that he was in the area at the time of the offence.
Officers attended Bellamy’s home address three days later where he was arrested and immediately recalled to prison, where he has remained since.
Police found that Bellamy had searched online for “scrapyards on Brewery Street” prior to the incident, and visited the Stockport News section of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services website, the day after.
Detective Sergeant David Collins from Stockport CID said: “Arson is a notoriously difficult crime to detect, but thanks to diligent work from our officers, Bellamy was taken back off the streets and straight into custody where he belongs.
“Bellamy has an unhealthy obsession with fire and arson, having already spent a significant time in prison for endangering life, only to go on to do it again. It was extremely fortunate that no-one got hurt.
“Not only had Bellamy researched where he wanted to commit his crime, but he spent time searching for news of the damage he caused the day after.
“I am glad Bellamy will not have the opportunity to continue his dangerous offending and I believe Stockport is now a safer place with him back behind bars.”
