A suicidal arsonist told police he had "very strong" thoughts of kidnapping, molesting and murdering young girls" after a fire which led to mass evacuation. A court heard Darren Edwards made the disturbing comments as he was jailed for three years and one month for arson being reckless.
Edwards, 48, of Belconnnen Road, Bestwood, lived on the middle floor of a three-storey block of seven Nottingham City Council-owned flats, next to a building with more than 20 flats. An unknown number of people were evacuated on August 21, 2021, and the damage caused was more than £5,200, Nottingham Crown Court heard on Monday, June 27.
The defendant was having, "suicidal thoughts" when he admitted to police using white spirit and a lighter to start the fire, said Catherine Picardo, prosecuting. "He told police he had fleeting thoughts of kidnapping, molesting and murdering young girls, which was 'very strong'.
