'Deplorable' couple tried to blame fire that saw 12 flats evacuated on a child

Yahoo

3 days ago

'Deplorable' couple Daniel and Charlotte Wollaston blamed a child for a fire that saw 12 flats evacuated. And Charlotte had been searching for house swap pages on social media before the blaze.
Now they have both been jailed after after a trial. It came after firefighters had been scrambled to the block of flats on Nantwich's Laurel Place on December 14 last year. Twelve flats had to be evacuated with a number of residents 'displaced'.
Outside were Daniel and Charlotte who told officers a child had used a long lighter to set fire to a pair of curtains. Starting in a bedroom, it then spread through the flat causing 'substantial damage'.
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But a witness told police they'd overheard the pair planning to tell cops the fire had been started by the youngster. The child was taken to Leighton Hospital - where the defendants were also taken - where they confided in officers the the blaze had been started by Daniel - using a long lighter to set a pair of curtains alight.
Detectives quizzed the pair with Charlotte answering 'no comment' and Daniel continuing to blame the youngster. Further enquiries into the pairs mobile devices revealed that Charlotte had recently searched for house swap pages on social media.
Investigating detectives subsequently charged the pair shortly after, with them continuing to deny any involvement in the fire and entering a not guilty plea in court - triggering a trial for Friday 11 June. The pair, aged 32 and 37, went on to be found found guilty of arson with reckless endangerment to life and perverting the course of justice following a nine-day trial.
Daniel, aged 32, was imprisoned for three years and will serve another three years on licence, while Charlotte, aged 37 was imprisoned for two years and will serve a further two on licence. Both were also sentenced to ten months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice, which will run concurrently.
Detective Constable Joseph Scott, who was the lead officer in the case, said: "Through their actions, Daniel and Charlotte have significantly damaged property and disrupted the lives of their neighbours. Their actions have endangered the lives of those in their community through the use of an uncontrollable fire and they have expressed no concern or remorse for what they have done.
'Furthermore, they have immediately attempted to portray the child involved in this case as their scapegoat, attempting to pin the fault on them and maintaining this lie throughout the following investigation and trial.
"Their actions were deplorable. I am pleased with the combined effort that has resulted in their convictions.'
Detective Sergeant Mitch Allford added: "Daniel and Charlotte Wollaston's selfish decision of choosing to start a fire in their home not only left them without a place to live and their possessions damaged or destroyed, but it resulted in the displacement of their neighbours and the diversion of countless police, fire and ambulance resources that had to respond to this completely avoidable incident.
'But what is perhaps most shocking however is that the pair decided to point the blame in the direction of an innocent child who was not involved in the fire's ignition whatsoever.
'No child should be made a scapegoat for an adult's irresponsible actions, and I am glad that the jury in this case were able to see through their lies and find them guilty for their crimes.
"This case should serve as a strong reminder of how serious these crimes are regarded and robust action will be taken against anyone who chooses to behave in such manner."
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