During the afternoon of 13 November 2023, Edward Midgley entered the reception area of the Medway Police Station in Purser Way Gillingham. He was holding a jar in his hand and approached the counter and poured fluid from the jar over it, say police.
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Midgley used a lighter to set fire to a rag soaked in an accelerant and this was thrown onto the counter, however the burning rag promptly went out and a member of police staff raised the alarm.
An officer who was working near the incident went to the scene and sought to detain Midgley as he was leaving. The constable was assaulted and the offender, who was unable to escape, was taken into custody.
Midgley, from Chatham was later charged with arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and assaulting an emergency worker. He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Friday 12 April 2024, the 35-year-old was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment.
Detective Constable Emily Speyer, of Medway CID, said:
‘This man recklessly sought to cause a fire in Medway Police Station without considering the harm he could cause to police employees and members of the public. He then assaulted an officer as he tried unsuccessfully to flee the scene.
‘This criminal should be ashamed of his actions which had the potential to cause significant injury or damage. It is right he is now serving a lengthy prison sentence.’