'Danger to the public': Arsonist jailed for setting fire to flat in Pelham Road South

David Daisley, formerly of Pelham Road South, set his rented flat on fire following a year-long dispute which had seen him evicted from the property.

The 51-year-old denied arson with intent to endanger life but was convicted following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

He also admitted racially aggravated common assault and was sentenced at the same court on Friday 13 December 2019 to two years and four months in jail.

Detective Constable Rob Sircar, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: "Daisley persistently showed a complete disregard for the thoughts and wishes of people going about their lawful daily lives.

"Those who politely asked him to change his ways were met with unacceptable levels of abuse which culminated in him senselessly endangering their lives."

David Daisley

The court heard that Daisley had moved into the flat, which is above a shop in Pelham Road South, in January 2018.

But shop workers regularly complained to him about antisocial levels of noise coming from the property, particularly music.

These complaints were often met with verbal abuse, and the persistent issues led to Daisley's landlord taking the decision to evict him in March 2019.

When Daisley was informed of the pending eviction, he racially abused the victim, threatened to burn down their property and threw a beer can at their head.

He then set fire to the curtains inside his rented accommodation, and damaged the windows of the shops below.

Just an hour after the fire reported, Daisley was arrested and charged whilst in custody, and has been on remand ever since.

Detective Constable Sircar added: "Such behaviour, which has no justification, shows he is incapable of living in society without being an unacceptable nuisance and danger to the public. I am therefore pleased the court has enforced a strong custodial sentence which is entirely justified."