Man jailed over failed arson at police station

Custody image of Edward MidgelyImage source, Kent Police
Image caption,

Edward Midgley was jailed for three and a half years

  • Published

A man who tried to start a fire in a police station, then attacked an officer, has been jailed for three and a half years.

Edward Midgley, 35, walked into Medway police station in Kent on 13 November 2023 and poured fluid on the counter, Kent Police said.

Midgely threw a lit rag, but failed to ignite the fluid, before he then assaulted an officer who tried to stop him leaving, a force spokesman said.

On Friday he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to arson and assaulting an emergency worker.

Image source, Google
Image caption,

The attempted arson was carried out at Medway police station

Det Con Emily Speyer said: "This man recklessly sought to cause a fire in Medway police station without considering the harm he could cause to police employees and members of the public.

"He then assaulted an officer as he tried unsuccessfully to flee the scene.

"He should be ashamed of his actions which had the potential to cause significant injury or damage. It is right he is now serving a lengthy prison sentence."

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