Man jailed after starting fire at Darlington leisure complex

A man who started a fire at a leisure complex has been jailed.

Raymond Coglan was captured on CCTV footage starting a fire in the underground bin area of the DL1 complex in Darlington on the evening of Friday, September 11.

Within minutes, smoke had engulfed the centre’s car park, forcing several businesses to evacuate, including Vue cinema and the Premier Inn hotel.

Firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish the blaze. Thankfully nobody sustained any injuries as a result of the incident.

Coglan left the area after starting the fire, but returned to the scene of the crime later that evening, where he was arrested by officers and taken into police custody.

The 42-year-old, of no fixed abode, was interviewed and charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was engendered.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Teesside Crown Court on Monday (October 12) and was jailed for three years and eight months.

Inspector David Littlefair, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Coglan’s actions that evening were utterly reckless and posed a significant risk to the public.

“It was a Friday and the complex was busy with people enjoying their evening. Thankfully, nobody was injured during the incident, but this could have easily ended in tragedy.

“In police custody, Coglan showed absolutely no remorse for what he had done and refused to answer any questions.

“I hope he uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions, and the damage he could have caused.”