Epping: Man jailed for deliberately starting two fires

A man who set fire to rooms in two separate hotels where he was staying has been jailed for eight and-a-half years thanks to an investigation by our officers.

Fires were reported in a room at The Phoenix hotel on 28 March last year, and then at The Bell hotel on 5 April.

Working with the fire service, our officers established there were multiple seats of fire in both rooms.

Officers established similarities between the two fires and that the same person was staying in each room – Rawand Abdulrahman.

Due to these links the fires were treated as arson and the 37 year-old was arrested and he was later charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

He denied the offences and was instead convicted of two counts of arson reckless as to whether life is endangered on Friday 20 March following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

At the same court on Friday (24 April) he was sentenced to a total of eight and-a-half years.

Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, District Commander for Epping Forest, said:

“Rawand Abdulrahman’s actions risked the safety of the residents and staff at both hotels.

“These fires could easily have been even more serious and had even more serious consequences.

“We will investigate offences where and when they take place, regardless of who they involve or where they take place

“Thanks to our investigation, and the support from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, he has been held accountable.”

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