Dealership arson suspect dies in cell

A MAN who was charged with arson following a £100,000 fire at a Birmingham Citroën dealership has been found dead in his prison cell.

Marcin Dlugolecki was found dead at HMP Nottingham on February 1. He is believed to have strangled himself with a prison towel.

The 33-year-old, of no fixed abode, had appeared before Birmingham magistrates on January 18 where he had pleaded not guilty to a charge of arson. He was due to appear before a judge at Birmingham Crown Court on February 15.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed the death and an investigation is under way.

Mr Dlugolecki’s devastated family voiced their concerns about his death in prison.

His cousin, who didn’t want to be named said: “The family are absolutely devastated. Marcin was a lovely guy who would do anything for anyone.

“He has had his problems but we don’t believe he carried out this arson attack. We just can’t see what motive he had to do it.

“We had concerns he might harm himself and to hear he had killed himself in prison is just devastating. The family is not only very upset but angry as well. We want answers.”

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said: “HMP Nottingham prisoner Marcin Dlugolecki died in custody on Wednesday 1 February.

“As with all deaths in custody there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”

The showroom in Small Heath went up in flames on January 16.

The fire devastated the dealership and pictures showed piles of rubble, glass and ash heaped on scorched office chairs, desks and gutted cars.