Sheffield arsonist who caused £15,000 damage after torching bedroom hopes to become a drug-worker

A reformed arsonist who set fire to his bedroom at a supported accommodation when he was due to be evicted hopes to become a drug-worker.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Matthew Scott, aged 24, of Burnell Road, Owlerton, Sheffield, admitted committing arson as to being reckless as to whether life would be endangered at his former bedroom at a Target Housing property on Lindsay Avenue, at Sheffield Lane Top, Sheffield.

Prosecuting barrister Laura Marshall told a Sheffield Crown Court hearing: “Matthew Scott had been under the process of being evicted because of his behaviour towards members of staff.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She added: “The defendant asked a neighbour to call the fire service because his property was on fire. The fire service attended and found the rear of the bedroom fully alight and that was extinguished.”

A cordon of police tape     (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP via Getty Images)A cordon of police tape     (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP via Getty Images)
A cordon of police tape (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP via Getty Images)

The court heard on March 26 that Scott claimed he had been moving out but had returned and opened the bedroom door to be confronted by thick, black smoke.

He claimed he had not started the fire deliberately although he had been highly-intoxicated and had been drinking.

However, Scott, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to committing arson recklessly as to whether life would be endangered after the incident in April, 2018.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The fire service stated it was highly probable the fire was caused by a deliberate ignition after a mattress had been exposed to extreme heat.

Ms Marshall said repair costs have been estimated at £14,933.

Matthew Burdon, defending, said: “He’s a young man with a very difficult and traumatic background. He reached a period in 2018 when he was described as being at an all-time low.

"He then served a short custodial sentence and upon his release he appears to have made a remarkable turnaround in his life.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Burdon added he attended Addaction to address drug problems, assisted charity Roundabout, engaged in pubic-speaking, is becoming a peer-educator and hopes to become a drug-worker.

Recorder David Kelly understood Scott had been homeless and has shown remorse.

He sentenced Scott to 21 months of of custody suspended for two years with 180 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation requirement.

Read More
A South Yorkshire thug who attacked his wife is spared from jail thanks to her p...

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor