Latest news with #DavidGiddins
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Man, 49, charged with arson over devastating fire at quaint town after he ‘torched 18 cars causing £170,000 damage'
A MAN has been charged over a horror blaze that caused £170,000 of damage after 18 cars were torched in a late-night rampage through a quaint market town. David Giddins, 49, of Wimborne town centre in Dorset, faces 18 counts of arson following the devastating fires in the early hours of May 15, 2023. 11 David Giddins is accused of causing more than £170,000 damage Credit: BNPS 11 Giddins was granted unconditional bail and will return to court next month Credit: BNPS 11 The fire quickly spread to their home, destroying all their possessions and leaving the family homeless Credit: BNPS 11 A mother and her two young daughters were forced to flee their flat in pyjamas 11 Emergency crews rushed to multiple scenes throughout the night as 999 calls flooded in Credit: BNPS The terrifying rampage unfolded across Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley between 1am and 2am, with horrified residents jolted from their beds as flames erupted outside their homes. A mother and her two young daughters were forced to flee their flat in pyjamas after a Ford Ka parked directly below was set ablaze. The fire quickly spread to their home, destroying all their possessions and leaving the family homeless. Emergency crews rushed to multiple scenes throughout the night as 999 calls flooded in, with residents reporting loud bangs and the night sky lit up in a fiery orange glow. By morning, the normally tranquil market town resembled a 'war zone', with charred car wrecks and smoke damage stretching across several streets. The court heard shocking details of the damage. One car alone was valued at £20,000, another close to £15,000. A BMW sustained £5,000 damage, and a Land Rover £3,000. Flames caused £11,000 damage to the Willett Arms pub, and £76,000 to the flat. Appearing at Poole Magistrates' Court, Giddins wore blue jeans, a dark shirt and Nike trainers. He spoke only to confirm his details and did not enter any pleas. District Judge Orla Austin ruled the case was too serious for the magistrates' court and referred it to Bournemouth Crown Court. Giddins was granted unconditional bail and will return to court next month. Residents have been left shaken by the series of attacks, which police believe were carried out in quick succession across several locations. An NHS nurse, Lisa Dodd, 44, was praised for saving lives after she spotted the fire from her bedroom window. She ran outside and banged on the flat's window to wake Ruth Thompson and her daughters just in time. She said: 'If the engine had exploded and set the door on fire there would have been no way out. I just wanted to get everyone into safety. If I had been a minute later, it doesn't bear thinking about.' Locals rallied around the family, launching a fundraising campaign to help them rebuild their lives. Friend Dominique Drayson said: 'They escaped just in time, but moments later they would have died.' Neighbour Paul Deer added: 'Lisa is a hero. The mum and her two daughters were fast asleep when it happened. "They wouldn't have had a chance.' Residents in nearby roads also described being woken by the sound of explosions and seeing fire engines racing through town. One woman said the heat from the flames melted paint off her front door. 11 The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received around 65 emergency calls 11 Officers and firefighters continue to work closely together as investigations into the full scale of the destruction continue Maggie Stirrup, 70, on Grove Road, said: 'We saw the car next door on fire. "My husband is in a wheelchair and I didn't know how we'd get out if it spread.' Darren Trickett, 60, whose Land Rover was destroyed, said: 'I heard a bang and looked out the window to see my car in flames. "I tried to open it to get the fire extinguisher, but the locks wouldn't work. I just had to stand there and watch.' "This sort of thing never happens here. Why would someone do this?' Detective Sergeant Simon Austin of Dorset Police appealed for witnesses and urged anyone with home CCTV or dashcam footage to check their recordings. He said: 'These incidents have affected a large number of victims in the wider Wimborne area. "We are making every effort to identify those responsible and will maintain visible police activity in the area.' The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received around 65 emergency calls during the three-hour period of chaos. Crews were dispatched to numerous locations including Wentworth Drive, Oakley Hill, New Borough Road, Poole Road and Merley Ways, tackling fire after fire as the town came under siege. Officers and firefighters continue to work closely together as investigations into the full scale of the destruction continue. Locals say it may be a long time before the community recovers from the shock of that night. One resident said: 'Wimborne is such a peaceful place. You never expect anything like this. It felt like the whole town was under attack.' Police are urging anyone with information to call 101 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers. 11 PoppyBaker/BNPS Pictured: The Ford Ka burning in the porch of the courtyard Credit: BNPS 11 A woman looks at the burnt out Ford Ka in the porch of the courtyard Credit: BNPS 11 MaxWillcock/BNPS Pictured: One of the burnt out cars in New Borough Road Credit: BNPS
The Sun
25-05-2025
- The Sun
Man, 49, charged with arson over devastating fire at quaint town after he ‘torched 18 cars causing £170,000 damage'
A MAN has been charged over a horror blaze that caused £170,000 of damage after 18 cars were torched in a late-night rampage through a quaint market town. David Giddins, 49, of Wimborne town centre in Dorset, faces 18 counts of arson following the devastating fires in the early hours of May 15, 2023. 11 11 11 The terrifying rampage unfolded across Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley between 1am and 2am, with horrified residents jolted from their beds as flames erupted outside their homes. A mother and her two young daughters were forced to flee their flat in pyjamas after a Ford Ka parked directly below was set ablaze. The fire quickly spread to their home, destroying all their possessions and leaving the family homeless. Emergency crews rushed to multiple scenes throughout the night as 999 calls flooded in, with residents reporting loud bangs and the night sky lit up in a fiery orange glow. By morning, the normally tranquil market town resembled a 'war zone', with charred car wrecks and smoke damage stretching across several streets. The court heard shocking details of the damage. One car alone was valued at £20,000, another close to £15,000. A BMW sustained £5,000 damage, and a Land Rover £3,000. Flames caused £11,000 damage to the Willett Arms pub, and £76,000 to the flat. Appearing at Poole Magistrates ' Court, Giddins wore blue jeans, a dark shirt and Nike trainers. He spoke only to confirm his details and did not enter any pleas. District Judge Orla Austin ruled the case was too serious for the magistrates' court and referred it to Bournemouth Crown Court. Giddins was granted unconditional bail and will return to court next month. Residents have been left shaken by the series of attacks, which police believe were carried out in quick succession across several locations. An NHS nurse, Lisa Dodd, 44, was praised for saving lives after she spotted the fire from her bedroom window. She ran outside and banged on the flat's window to wake Ruth Thompson and her daughters just in time. She said: 'If the engine had exploded and set the door on fire there would have been no way out. I just wanted to get everyone into safety. If I had been a minute later, it doesn't bear thinking about.' Locals rallied around the family, launching a fundraising campaign to help them rebuild their lives. Friend Dominique Drayson said: 'They escaped just in time, but moments later they would have died.' Neighbour Paul Deer added: 'Lisa is a hero. The mum and her two daughters were fast asleep when it happened. "They wouldn't have had a chance.' Residents in nearby roads also described being woken by the sound of explosions and seeing fire engines racing through town. One woman said the heat from the flames melted paint off her front door. 11 Maggie Stirrup, 70, on Grove Road, said: 'We saw the car next door on fire. "My husband is in a wheelchair and I didn't know how we'd get out if it spread.' Darren Trickett, 60, whose Land Rover was destroyed, said: 'I heard a bang and looked out the window to see my car in flames. "I tried to open it to get the fire extinguisher, but the locks wouldn't work. I just had to stand there and watch.' "This sort of thing never happens here. Why would someone do this?' Detective Sergeant Simon Austin of Dorset Police appealed for witnesses and urged anyone with home CCTV or dashcam footage to check their recordings. He said: 'These incidents have affected a large number of victims in the wider Wimborne area. "We are making every effort to identify those responsible and will maintain visible police activity in the area.' The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received around 65 emergency calls during the three-hour period of chaos. Crews were dispatched to numerous locations including Wentworth Drive, Oakley Hill, New Borough Road, Poole Road and Merley Ways, tackling fire after fire as the town came under siege. Officers and firefighters continue to work closely together as investigations into the full scale of the destruction continue. Locals say it may be a long time before the community recovers from the shock of that night. One resident said: 'Wimborne is such a peaceful place. You never expect anything like this. It felt like the whole town was under attack.' Police are urging anyone with information to call 101 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers. 11 11 11
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Man, 49, charged with arson over devastating fire at quaint town after he ‘torched 18 cars causing £170,000 damage'
A MAN has been charged over a horror blaze that caused £170,000 of damage after 18 cars were torched in a late-night rampage through a quaint market town. David Giddins, 49, of Wimborne town centre in Dorset, faces 18 counts of arson following the devastating fires in the early hours of May 15, 2023. 11 David Giddins is accused of causing more than £170,000 damage Credit: BNPS 11 Giddins was granted unconditional bail and will return to court next month Credit: BNPS 11 The fire quickly spread to their home, destroying all their possessions and leaving the family homeless Credit: BNPS 11 A mother and her two young daughters were forced to flee their flat in pyjamas 11 Emergency crews rushed to multiple scenes throughout the night as 999 calls flooded in Credit: BNPS The terrifying rampage unfolded across Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley between 1am and 2am, with horrified residents jolted from their beds as flames erupted outside their homes. A mother and her two young daughters were forced to flee their flat in pyjamas after a Ford Ka parked directly below was set ablaze. The fire quickly spread to their home, destroying all their possessions and leaving the family homeless. Emergency crews rushed to multiple scenes throughout the night as 999 calls flooded in, with residents reporting loud bangs and the night sky lit up in a fiery orange glow. Read more on News By morning, the normally tranquil market town resembled a 'war zone', with charred car wrecks and smoke damage stretching across several streets. The court heard shocking details of the damage. One car alone was valued at £20,000, another close to £15,000. A BMW sustained £5,000 damage, and a Land Rover £3,000. Most read in The Sun Flames caused £11,000 damage to the Willett Arms pub, and £76,000 to the flat. Appearing at Poole Magistrates' Court, Giddins wore blue jeans, a dark shirt and Nike trainers. He spoke only to confirm his details and did not enter any pleas. District Judge Orla Austin ruled the case was too serious for the magistrates' court and referred it to Giddins was granted unconditional bail and will return to court next month. Residents have been left shaken by the series of attacks, which police believe were carried out in quick succession across several locations. An NHS nurse, Lisa Dodd, 44, was praised for saving lives after she spotted the fire from her bedroom window. She ran outside and banged on the flat's window to wake Ruth Thompson and her daughters just in time. She said: 'If the engine had exploded and set the door on fire there would have been no way out. I just wanted to get everyone into safety. If I had been a minute later, it doesn't bear thinking about.' Locals rallied around the family, launching a fundraising campaign to help them rebuild their lives. Friend Dominique Drayson said: 'They escaped just in time, but moments later they would have died.' Neighbour Paul Deer added: 'Lisa is a hero. The mum and her two daughters were fast asleep when it happened. "They wouldn't have had a chance.' Residents in nearby roads also described being woken by the sound of explosions and seeing fire engines racing through town. One woman said the heat from the flames melted paint off her front door. 11 The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received around 65 emergency calls 11 Officers and firefighters continue to work closely together as investigations into the full scale of the destruction continue Maggie Stirrup, 70, on Grove Road, said: 'We saw the car next door on fire. "My husband is in a wheelchair and I didn't know how we'd get out if it spread.' Darren Trickett, 60, whose Land Rover was destroyed, said: 'I heard a bang and looked out the window to see my car in flames. "I tried to open it to get the fire extinguisher, but the locks wouldn't work. I just had to stand there and watch.' "This sort of thing never happens here. Why would someone do this?' Detective Sergeant Simon Austin of Dorset Police appealed for witnesses and urged anyone with home CCTV or dashcam footage to check their recordings. He said: 'These incidents have affected a large number of victims in the wider Wimborne area. "We are making every effort to identify those responsible and will maintain visible police activity in the area.' The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received around 65 emergency calls during the three-hour period of chaos. Crews were dispatched to numerous locations including Wentworth Drive, Oakley Hill, New Borough Road, Poole Road and Merley Ways, tackling fire after fire as the town came under siege. Officers and firefighters continue to work closely together as investigations into the full scale of the destruction continue. Locals say it may be a long time before the community recovers from the shock of that night. One resident said: 'Wimborne is such a peaceful place. You never expect anything like this. It felt like the whole town was under attack.' Police are urging anyone with information to call 101 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers. 11 PoppyBaker/BNPS Pictured: The Ford Ka burning in the porch of the courtyard Credit: BNPS 11 A woman looks at the burnt out Ford Ka in the porch of the courtyard Credit: BNPS 11 MaxWillcock/BNPS Pictured: One of the burnt out cars in New Borough Road Credit: BNPS 11 BNPS Pictured: David Giddins at Poole Magistrates Court Credit: BNPS
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Pictured: Man, 49, accused of torching 18 cars in spate of late night arson attacks that 'caused £170k worth of damage' and left families in quaint market town fleeing their homes
A man accused of setting ablaze 18 cars in a spate of arson attacks which caused £170,000 worth of damage and left horrified families fleeing their homes has been pictured for the first time. David Giddins appeared at court charged with 18 counts of arson for the crime spree that shocked locals. Emergency services rushed to the scene of multiple fires in Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley, in Dorset, in the early hours of May 15, 2023. Police were called to 18 reports of damage to vehicles and properties between 1am and 2am. These included a pub as well as a flat where a mother and her two young daughters had to flee from in their pyjamas after a Ford Ka parked below was set ablaze. Neighbours were woken up at 1.20am as multiple cars were being ripped by flames outside their homes, with videos showing the night sky being lit up by a 'glowing orange' and loud bangs from the fire. By daylight, the market town resembled a 'war zone' with the burnt-out shells of cars close together. In total, it's estimated that the attacks caused more than £170,000 in damages One vehicle that was destroyed was valued at £20,000, while another was almost £15,000. The damage to the Willett Arms pub was put at £11,000 while the flat suffered fire damage to the value of £76,000. Giddins appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court today to answer the charges whilst the court heard the breakdown of the damage which is alleged to have been caused. The 45-year-old, of Wimborne town centre, who was dressed in blue denim jeans, a dark shirt and Nike trainers, didn't enter any pleas. District Judge Orla Austin said the matters were too serious for her to deal with and sent the matter to Bournemouth Crown Court. He was released on unconditional bail and will next appear in court next month. In the days which followed the horrific attack, an NHS nurse was hailed a hero for saving a family. Lisa Dodd, 44, was about to go to bed when she noticed an odd-looking glowing light from her bedroom blinds. She looked out and spotted a Ford Ka car ablaze in a courtyard directly next to a flat where Ruth Thompson and her two teenage daughters live. Ms Dodd rushed outside and banged on a window to wake the family and alert them to the fire. By that stage, the flames had spread to the property and Ms Thompson and her daughters had to squeeze through a six-inch gap between the blazing car and their flat to make their escape. They were made homeless by the arson attack, and all their clothes and belongings have been ruined by water and smoke damage. A fundraising page was launched to raise £2,000 to help the family get back on their feet. Family friend Dominique Drayson said: '(Ruth) and the girls were asleep upstairs as fire spread from their car up to their flat. Luckily, they escaped in time, but moments later they would have died.' Ms Dodd said: 'I was just settling down in my upstairs bedroom when I noticed something a bit strange behind my blinds. 'The light seemed a bit off, and when I looked out, I saw the bonnet of the car on fire. 'I knew that there was a sleeping family in the room next to the fire, and I was worried that the car would explode. The Ford Ka (pictured) car was completely destroyed by the fire 'I immediately ran out to wake them up and get them out of the room. 'If the engine had exploded and set the door on fire there would have been no way out. 'I just wanted to get everyone into safety. If I had been a minute later, the fire would have spread. 'I got to them just in time. It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened.' Local resident Paul Deer said: 'Lisa is a hero. The mum and her two daughters were fast asleep when it happened. 'They wouldn't have had a chance.'
BBC News
08-05-2025
- BBC News
Wimborne and Poole car fires suspect faces 18 counts of arson
A man has been charged with 18 counts of arson following a spate of car fires in Dorset in crews were called to multiple fires in Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley in the early hours of 15 Police said it received 18 reports of damage to vehicles and property between 01:00 and 03:00 Robert Giddins, 45, from Wimborne, is due before Poole magistrates on Friday. Police said incidents were reported in Wentworth Drive, Oakley Hill, Oakley Road, Merley Way, Stour Walk, New Borough Road, Grove Road and Leigh Supt Julie Howe, Local Policing Commander for Dorset County, said: "This has been a complex investigation."We would urge members of the public to refrain from speculation or online commentary while these proceedings are active." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
