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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Firebomber sentenced to 18 years | Firebomber sentenced to 18 years |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A car dealer convicted of ordering firebomb attacks on the homes of two Essex Police officers has been jailed for 18 years. | A car dealer convicted of ordering firebomb attacks on the homes of two Essex Police officers has been jailed for 18 years. |
| Wayne Taylor, 42, paid two men to throw milk bottles filled with petrol because he blamed the detectives for "ruining Christmas" after a raid at his home. | Wayne Taylor, 42, paid two men to throw milk bottles filled with petrol because he blamed the detectives for "ruining Christmas" after a raid at his home. |
| A jury found him guilty of two counts of arson with intent to endanger life. | A jury found him guilty of two counts of arson with intent to endanger life. |
| Taylor, of Clacton, was cleared of attempted murder and a third unrelated arson last month following a trial. | Taylor, of Clacton, was cleared of attempted murder and a third unrelated arson last month following a trial. |
| 'Wicked and vindictive' | |
| Judge Martin Stephens jailed him for 18 years on each offence, the sentences to be served concurrently. | Judge Martin Stephens jailed him for 18 years on each offence, the sentences to be served concurrently. |
| He said the attacks in January 2006 had struck at the heart of society. | He said the attacks in January 2006 had struck at the heart of society. |
| Outside court, Chief Supt Keith Garnish, of Essex Police, said the officers and their families, including a two-day-old baby, were asleep during the "ruthless" attacks. | |
| "It was only through good fortune that the officers and their young families were not seriously injured or killed," he added. | |
| "Wayne Taylor directed both arson attacks to take place and he was motivated by a wicked and vindictive sense of retribution. | |
| "The attacks were indicative of his belief that he was beyond the rule of law and should be free to go about his criminal business at will." |