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Andrew Main detained for Oxfordshire arson attacks Andrew Main detained for Oxfordshire arson attacks
(35 minutes later)
A man will be detained in a mental health unit after setting a series of fires across Oxfordshire.A man will be detained in a mental health unit after setting a series of fires across Oxfordshire.
Andrew Main admitted setting fires that caused major damage at South Oxfordshire District Council's office, an undertakers and a thatched cottage.Andrew Main admitted setting fires that caused major damage at South Oxfordshire District Council's office, an undertakers and a thatched cottage.
The 47-year-old, of Rokemarsh, pleaded not guilty to a further charge of arson with intent to endanger life.The 47-year-old, of Rokemarsh, pleaded not guilty to a further charge of arson with intent to endanger life.
The prosecution decided not to proceed to trial with the charge at Oxford Crown Court, and it will lie on file.The prosecution decided not to proceed to trial with the charge at Oxford Crown Court, and it will lie on file.
The estimated cost to the council of repairing damage from the fires on 15 January was about £20m, the court heard.The estimated cost to the council of repairing damage from the fires on 15 January was about £20m, the court heard.
Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle said: "We will never know why you picked on the targets you did, but we will always know that the consequences were utterly, utterly devastating."Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle said: "We will never know why you picked on the targets you did, but we will always know that the consequences were utterly, utterly devastating."
At their peak, 27 crews tackled fires in Rokemarsh and Crowmarsh Gifford, which started within 10 minutes of each other shortly after 03:00 GMT. No-one was hurt. At their peak, 27 crews tackled fires in Rokemarsh and Crowmarsh Gifford, which were started within 10 minutes of each other shortly after 03:00 GMT. No-one was hurt.
In the first blaze, Jean Gladstone, 80, escaped from her thatched cottage on Quakers Corner in Rokemarsh.In the first blaze, Jean Gladstone, 80, escaped from her thatched cottage on Quakers Corner in Rokemarsh.
Minutes later, a second fire was reported at Howard Chadwick Funeral Service in the village of Crowmarsh Gifford.Minutes later, a second fire was reported at Howard Chadwick Funeral Service in the village of Crowmarsh Gifford.
The third blaze engulfed the council offices.The third blaze engulfed the council offices.
It was revealed in court that Main had mental health issues, most likely a severe bi-polar disorder. It was revealed in court Main had mental health issues, most likely a severe bi-polar disorder.
The court was told he intended to kill himself after setting the fires.The court was told he intended to kill himself after setting the fires.
He told a psychiatrist he wanted to use a chainsaw to cut his neck.He told a psychiatrist he wanted to use a chainsaw to cut his neck.
The prosecution said CCTV footage from the night showed Main had a chainsaw with him. Prosecutors said CCTV footage from the night showed Main had a chainsaw with him.
He set the fires using gas cylinders, which were found at all three fire sites as well as Main's home.He set the fires using gas cylinders, which were found at all three fire sites as well as Main's home.
The burnt-out wreckage of a car that ploughed into the council building moments before it caught fire was found in the foyer.The burnt-out wreckage of a car that ploughed into the council building moments before it caught fire was found in the foyer.
Main was told he would be detained in the mental health unit for an unlimited period of time.Main was told he would be detained in the mental health unit for an unlimited period of time.
Det Insp Louise Tompkins, the senior investigating officer in the case, said the hospital order reflected "how unwell Mr Main was at the time he committed the offences". Det Insp Louise Tompkins, senior investigating officer in the case, said the hospital order reflected "how unwell Mr Main was at the time he committed the offences".
"The fires had a significant impact on the local communities in and around Crowmarsh Gifford and Rokemarsh," she added."The fires had a significant impact on the local communities in and around Crowmarsh Gifford and Rokemarsh," she added.
Adrian Foster, chief crown prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service said the motives behind Main's "reckless actions" remained "unclear".Adrian Foster, chief crown prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service said the motives behind Main's "reckless actions" remained "unclear".
He added: "Main was assessed by two psychiatric doctors, who both agreed that it would not be possible to make a jury sure that he was capable of forming the requisite intent.He added: "Main was assessed by two psychiatric doctors, who both agreed that it would not be possible to make a jury sure that he was capable of forming the requisite intent.
"Therefore, the pleas were accepted by the prosecution team."Therefore, the pleas were accepted by the prosecution team.
"Main was clearly seriously ill... it is incredibly fortunate that nobody was hurt.""Main was clearly seriously ill... it is incredibly fortunate that nobody was hurt."
About 400 staff worked at the offices.About 400 staff worked at the offices.
The fire completely destroyed the planning department and badly affected the environmental health department and housing department.The fire completely destroyed the planning department and badly affected the environmental health department and housing department.
Planning applications and comments submitted in the days before the fire were destroyed and had to be resubmitted.Planning applications and comments submitted in the days before the fire were destroyed and had to be resubmitted.
The complex also housed about two-thirds of the Vale of the White Horse District Council's staff.The complex also housed about two-thirds of the Vale of the White Horse District Council's staff.
The funeral parlour reopened last month following £100,000 of repair work.The funeral parlour reopened last month following £100,000 of repair work.