An arsonist wanted to become a 'hero' as he woke up his ex-girlfriend's family after setting their house on fire. Declan Gilluley, 26, of Cox's Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, has been sent to prison after pleading guilty to reckless arson at a previous Nottingham Crown Court hearing.
Gilluley, who had no previous convictions, was living with his ex-girlfriend at her mum's family home of 21 years. After their relationship ended, he insisted on continuing his residence at the address - telling the family he had terminal cancer, the court heard.
The court heard how Declan had been watching films with his ex-girlfriend before going to sleep. He searched the internet for ways he could set a house on fire without being detected before the incident shortly before 5.30am on Friday, October 22, last year, an investigation has shown.
