Frinton: Officer thanks community after arsonist jailed

One of our officers has thanked the local community for their help which has seen a man who deliberately started a fire in Frinton put behind bars.

John Hanson, 39, of James Road, Clacton, had started a fire at a bin store near a property at the Triangle Shopping Centre on 24 February.

CCTV footage showed a man, identified as Hanson, starting the fire and then leaving the area of the Co-op store there shortly after.

When he was arrested on 2 March, clothes were found which matched those he was seen to be wearing in the CCTV footage

Hanson had already been made subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which had been him from the location.

He was arrested and later charged with arson and breaching a CBO and admitted the charges at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 24 September.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on 14 November he was sentenced to a year in prison and made subject to a further CBO for two years, due to come into effect when he is released from prison.

Investigating officer PC Sam Jewell said:

“I want to thank the local community as a number of people came forward to provide CCTV and witness statements after we published an appeal.

“There is a real community spirit in Frinton and we have fantastic support from people living here.

“I am pleased that, with their help, we have been able to ensure John Hanson is now behind bars.”

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