The North East arsonists who were hauled up in front of judges recently

The reckless North East fire starters who put lives in danger while committing dangerous arson offences

by · ChronicleLive

Over the past few months, a number of offenders have been hauled in front of judges for recklessly setting fires. Not only have these North East arsonists but themselves in danger, they have put the lives of many innocent people at risk.

Due to the dangerousness and vast amount of damage that can be caused, the offence of arson is treated very seriously in our courts. From spurned lovers and drunken idiots, to selfish people who want to cause havoc for their own ends, there have been a variety of arsonists dealt with over the last few weeks.

Here are a selection of arsonists who have been dealt with recently:

Brian Collier

Mentally unwell Brian Collier targeted three flats in a high rise block and seven cars in a spate of arson attacks. Lives were put in danger as Collier lit a series of fires at homes using lighter fluid as an accelerant, causing £15,000 of damage. Collier, who has paranoid schizophrenia, set fire to three flats in Dean House, Tumulus Avenue, Walkergate, Newcastle, on July 6 last year, then also set fire to seven cars nearby.
He later said he'd "had a mad day on the drugs which sent me potty" and believed he was protecting people from child murderers. A court heard the first flat he torched was the one where he used to live before he was evicted for anti-social behaviour in 2023. A window had been smashed and an oven had been set alight in the property, which was unoccupied at the time.
Collier, 51, of no fixed address, who has 23 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered in relation to the flats and seven counts of arson in relation to the cars and he was jailed for four years with an extended licence period of a further four years.(Image: Northumbria Police)

Samantha Robinson-Leigh

Selfish arsonist Samantha Robinson-Leigh who sets fires for her own benefit torched her nightie in a building where dozens of other people lived. Robinson-Leigh caused significant damage to her room and later said she didn't want to be there.
Although she has no previous convictions, a court heard she has a "history of setting fires" and a judge said she uses them when unhappy with her accommodation and for her own benefit. Newcastle Crown Court heard Robinson-Leigh was living at Westwood Lodge Care home, in Elswick, Newcastle, along with 44 other people at the time of the offence on July 15 last year.
The 49-year-old pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and she was jailed for two years.

Jonathon Ridley

Arsonist Jonathon Ridley was jailed for setting fire to his council flat. Ridley set fire to his upstairs flat, in a block of four, on Mardale Gardens, Gateshead, on October 23 last year.
When the fire service got there, they were told Ridley was still inside and they forced entry. The fire, which had been set behind the front door, was quickly extinguished.
An investigation showed it had been started deliberately with a naked flame applied to furniture and furnishings in the living room, with damage to the base of a seat and the floor. The court heard the total cost of the damage was £1,485.
Ridley, 34, who has 39 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered and was jailed for 33 months(Image: Northumbria Police)

Callum Barnes

Twisted arsonist Callum Barnes sparked a major blaze by torching a stranger's home for no apparent reason. The victim was not in when Barnes started two fires at his property in Sunderland last May but was confronted by the flames when he returned.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the fires damaged the front of the house, including the upstairs window, a Ford transit van, a shed and some conifers. The court heard the householder was a roofing contractor and the damage to the van, plus the tools inside it, cost him £3,000.
Barnes, 26, of Hunter Street, Shiney Row, Sunderland, admitted arson being reckless to whether life would be endangered. He was jailed for three years.