A man has been jailed after setting fire to a shop that he’d tried to steal from in Folkestone.
On Sunday 13 August 2023, Shaun Brocklehurst, 42, was stopped by a man in a grocery store on Cheriton High Street and was found with alcohol in his bag that he was attempting to steal. An altercation followed, in which Brocklehurst punched and kicked the man before leaving the premises.
However around half an hour later, he returned with a small fuel can and poured a flammable liquid over the front of the shop, before igniting it, leading to a rush of flames. He then left the scene.
The fire was extinguished quickly by a member of the public and no injuries were reported. An investigation by East Kent CID led to the arrest of Brocklehurst, from Folkestone, who was charged on Saturday 19 August with attempted robbery and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
After pleading guilty, Brocklehurst was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 28 February 2024 to three years’ imprisonment.
Detective Sergeant Joshua Wratten of East Kent CID, said:
‘Brocklehurst’s actions were completely reckless – endangering public safety with no regard for the consequences, which could have been devastating.
‘It is merciful that nobody was hurt as a result of his behaviour that day.
‘I am pleased that a custodial sentence has been imposed, reflecting the gravity of the case and would hope it serves as a reminder that this kind of behaviour in our communities will not be tolerated.’