Arsonist who went on day-long rampage in Kent jailed

An arsonist who went on a day-long rampage has been jailed for 18 months.

Kian Minister, 24, set multiple fires and caused destruction across Kent on 27 March this year.

Kent Police said Minister torched and destroyed a wheelie bin in Sturry High Street at about 5.30am.

He was unsuccessful as he tried to start a blaze at Stour Retail Park in Canterbury by lighting a toilet roll, however he did manage to ignite tyres outside a Mercedes Benz dealership in Mill Road, which spread to damage the building.

Minister fled the area as emergency crews extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported.

Later that day, the wanted criminal used a fire extinguisher in a bid to damage a footbridge at Ashford International railway station.

He also smashed three car windscreens with a traffic cone.

The alarm was raised, and Minister was arrested shortly afterwards, near a skip outside the station.

Kent Police said he had set fire to further items, which burned out.

Minister was charged the next day with three counts of arson, three counts of criminal damage, attempted arson and attempted criminal damage.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 4 September.

The 18-month prison sentence included a two-month custodial term for breach of a community order.

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Investigating officer PC Evie Taylor-Ryall said: "Minister's reckless yet deliberate actions caused significant damage to business and property, and potentially risked serious harm to members of the public.

"Through swift enquiries, officers were able to secure key evidence to link the offender to each incident, enabling us to build a strong case with multiple charges authorised within 24 hours of his arrest.

"This case demonstrates our determination to take robust action against those who commit offences of this nature, and Minister has now rightly been held to account for his crimes."

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