Arsonist Neil Cook gave an expert lesson in how to get caught when his electronic tag placed him at the scene of his crime.
The 46-year-old endangered the lives of a whole street when he broke into a house in Porter Terrace, Murton, in March, and set three fires within.
Within minutes the whole house was alight. Thankfully no one was inside at the time but the house was so badly damaged it was inhabitable and neighbouring addresses were also affected.
Cook was identified as a suspect after being in dispute with the homeowner over a car but nicely delivered evidence to detectives on a plate when they received his movements from his GPS tag.
At the time of the incident, the data showed Cook had been at the address and a car caught on CCTV that he used to travel there, was also registered to his address in Gateshead.
Officers swiftly arrested Cook and he was charged with Arson Endangering Life and Burglary, and was remanded into prison.
Despite his ‘no comment’ interview, Cook pleaded guilty to arson and not guilty to burglary in court.
He was handed to a total of three years and ten months for the arson when he was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on August 12. The burglary charge will remain on his file.
A spokesperson of Peterlee CID overseeing the case said: “Cook could have killed someone that day and it’s lucky that no one was injured. He destroyed a family’s home and everything in it without a second thought.
“His luck ran out however when he led officers straight to him with his tag data – he is clearly not the most intelligent of criminals.
“We hope this sentence can bring some comfort to the victim who lost everything because of Cook’s selfish actions.”
