Man jailed over barber shop petrol attack

Dilovan Sindi was involved in a dispute with the business owner, police believe

A man who poured petrol over people inside a barber shop and caused an explosion has been jailed for more than seven years.

Four people, including a child and his father, were taken to hospital after Dilovan Sindi targeted the business in Westerhope, Newcastle, in May 2023.

One man was in hospital for months and continues to receive treatment having been discharged.

Sandi, 39, of Washington, had pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life, grievous bodily harm and attempted wounding at an earlier hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

CCTV footage showed Sindi, of Sulgrave Road, go into the shop with a can of petrol, which he poured over furniture and several people.

Northumbria Police said a struggle ensued with the petrol ignited by a lighter held by Sindi.

The force said it believed he was targeting the owner of the business over a dispute.

The child and his father continue to suffer serious psychological effects, along with another man who suffered a leg injury, police said.

Sindi was badly burned and also needed months of hospital treatment.

'Horrendous ordeal'

When he was released, he was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

In September, as he was due to go on trial, he entered guilty pleas to arson with intent to endanger life, grievous bodily harm and attempted wounding.

Police released photographs of the fire-damaged building

He has now been jailed for seven years and two months.

Describing Sindi's actions as "utterly abhorrent", Det Insp Rona Malessa said the victims had "been put through a horrendous ordeal".

"It is fortunate that we are not dealing with much worse outcomes given the seriousness of the attack that day," she said.

She also thanked fire and ambulance crews for their "crucial" role in the emergency response.