Clitheroe arsonist jailed after terrifying bomb threat
A man who terrified his neighbours by setting fire to his flat and telling “all who would listen” that he was making a bomb has been jailed for arson.
Andrew Dewhurst, 51, was sentenced to 44 months at Burnley Crown Court after pleading guilty to arson with intent to endanger life.
Police were called to Piccadilly Close in Clitheroe at 7-29am on March 2 following reports of a disturbance at a single-occupancy property involving a man making threats. Moments later, they received a further report of a fire inside the flat.
Officers arrived to find Dewhurst throwing items from his window and behaving erratically while continuing to claim he was making a bomb. When they tried to speak to him, he told them: “You best get out,” before referencing the fire.
Neighbouring homes were evacuated as officers continued attempts to engage with him, but Dewhurst refused to leave the property. He eventually exited only after fire service crews went inside the flat.
He was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
DC Katie Hunter, from Burnley CID, said: “Firstly, I would like to personally say thank you to the emergency services that initially attended the scene – the fire service and the initial uniform officers – who put themselves into an incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation to save someone's life. Without their response and bravery, I am certain that the outcome of this incident would have been very different.
“I know Dewhurst’s behaviour was particularly concerning to his neighbours, and I welcome the sentence handed down to him which will give the local community some much-needed respite.”