Blyth arsonist put lives at risk by setting fire to his bed in block of flats

Ashley Moore, who admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered
-Credit:Northumbria Police


An arsonist set fire to his bed in a block of flats after warning his neighbour he was considering blowing up his home.

Ashley Moore was living on the second floor of a three-storey block of flats at Merton Square, Blyth, at the time of the offence in December 2021. A woman who lives on the same floor said he knocked on her door around 10.30pm and appeared drunk.

He said to her "If I ask you to leave your flat, make sure you leave your flat", adding "in case I blow up my flat". She asked him why and he said he was thinking about it.

READ MORE: The Range opens new store in former Homebase in Blyth as customers flock to catch first glimpse

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Northumberland man found in possession of revolver and shotguns after Christmas crash

The woman was aware Moore had been suffering with mental health difficulties and so she contacted the police about what he had said. They arrived and evacuated the block and arrested Moore from his flat, which they found to be on fire.

A subsequent fire investigation showed he had set fire to his bed and bedding and it had spread through the mattress and onto the carpet beneath. The fire had not spread beyond the bedroom but there was smoke damage to the rest of the flat and repairs cost £2,400.

Prosecutor Jane Foley told Newcastle Crown Court: "The risk was significant. It was a block of flats with the potential for the fire to spread very quickly. Multiple people were endangered."

Fire damage caused by Ashley Moore
Fire damage caused by Ashley Moore -Credit:Northumbria Police

Moore, 36, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and was sentenced to two years suspended for 18 months.

ADVERTISEMENT

Judge Tim Gittins told him: "You fall to be sentenced for a very serious offence, using fire in a way that really caused a significant risk to a number of others as well as yourself. You were having difficulties with your upstairs neighbour and with your mental health and that was being made worse by you consuming scary quantities of alcohol on a daily basis."

Keep up to date with all the latest court news from the North East with our free newsletter

Liam O'Brien, defending, said Moore was struggling with mental health issues and alcohol abuse - he was drinking up to 15 pints of alcohol a day at the time - but has made good progress working with various agencies since.

Mr O'Brien said: "The public are much safer now than they would have been." He added that sending him to prison could disrupt the positive changes he has made and could do more harm than good.

The court heard Karbon Homes, who owned the property, allowed him to remain a tenant and say he has been well behaved since the arson.