A suspect arrested in connection with a series of vehicle fires that terrorized Folkestone and Hythe is set to appear before Canterbury Crown Court.
Between the hours of 2:00 am and 3:30 am on Friday, April 11th, authorities received multiple reports of vehicles ablaze across several locations. Six cars were discovered alight on Canterbury Road, Walton Road, Military Road, and Enbrook Valley in Folkestone, as well as Whitenbrook in Hythe, prompting an urgent investigation.
Following the incidents, a 54-year-old man from Folkestone was apprehended. He has since been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, six counts of arson relating to the torched vehicles, drink driving, and assault of an emergency worker.
The suspect initially appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, April 12th but the investigation took a further turn when officers received a report concerning a campervan fire in Sandgate on the same night.
The owner of the vehicle had been sleeping inside and awoke to find it engulfed in flames. As a result of this new information, an additional charge of arson with intent to endanger life was authorized against the same individual.
The suspect attended court again on Monday, April 14th, in relation to this latest charge and was subsequently remanded in custody. The case is now scheduled to be heard at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, May 12th.