Two men sentenced for Risca mountain arson

Two men have each been sentenced to 100 hours of community service for setting fire to mountainside in Risca.

Kyle Doughty, 20, of Ty Canol, Cwmbran, and Sean Howells, 20, of Brynonnen Court, Cwmbran, admitted starting the fire in Risca and were each fined £85 by Caerphilly Magistrates in addition to the community service.

The court was told that at 7.39pm hours on April 13 2012, a member of the public called Gwent Police Control to report seeing two men setting fire to the mountainside above Risca.

The person that reported the incident was watching both males setting multiple fires and passed on full details to Gwent Police

Officers from Blackwood were sent to the area and witnessed both men starting another fire which spread quickly and were arrested on suspicion of arson.

Both men admitted the charge at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court on April 30.

Speaking after the case, Huw Jakeway, Acting Chief Fire Officer at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “This is an extremely successful outcome for the Fire and Rescue Service and for all of our partners and communities.

“These offences are often seen as ‘victimless’ crimes. However deliberately set grass fires are extremely unpredictable and can spiral out of control within minutes.

“Every time our firefighters are called out to a deliberately set grass or mountain fire, not only does it negatively impact on the environment, wildlife and carbon footprint and puts firefighters at a needless risk, it also means that firefighters could be diverted from attending a real emergency.”

Chris Hadfield, group manager at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Crime Unit, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this case – it is hoped that this successful conviction will show that these actions and the senseless destruction of our communities will not be tolerated and the conviction will be a deterrent to any other persons thinking of carrying out such actions.

“The Easter holiday period traditionally sees the number of deliberately set grass and mountain fires soar and results in South Wales’ fire crews being stretched to breaking point. Annually, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service makes special preparations for potential spate conditions and this year, the service has once again used the diversionary and enforcement activities put in place via ‘Project Bernie’ to reduce the number of deliberately set grass fires and ease the burden on the service.

“Tackling the issues of deliberate grass fires is as much about prevention, education and enforcement as it is about new operational equipment and tactics.”