MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON OVER SPATE OF WHEELIE BIN FIRES
A MAN has been charged with seven arson offences in connection with a series of wheelie bin fires in Coventry.
Paul Giles, 40, from Coventry, is accused of starting several wheelie bin fires in Coundon and Radford.
One of the fires, which started in a dustbin, saw a woman’s car turned into a fireball.
It took place in the early hours of Tuesday, June 23, in Banks Road, Radford.
The blaze, which spread from the dustbin to Shelly Anne Jones’ BMW, was captured on her CCTV camera.
One of the fires saw a tree catching fire on Browett Road, Coundon, on the same day.
In another fire, on Thursday, June 25, flames spread to a house causing significant damage.
That took place in the early hours of the morning in Lavender Avenue in Coundon.
The occupant of the house, Frank Slevin, was sleeping at his partner’s home and the property was empty at the time.
Dustbins outside the property caught fire and the flames then spread to an extension that was in the process of being built.
Smoke from the blaze badly damaged every room of the house.
The charges follow a police appeal for information where images were released of a man officers wanted to trace.
Giles has been charged with six counts of arson and one count of arson with intent or reckless behaviour to endanger life.
He was bailed with a number of conditions.
He is set to appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday, July 13).
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We’ve charged a man with arson offences in the city after releasing images of a suspect we wanted to trace in June.
“Paul Giles, of Coventry, is accused of starting several wheelie bin fires one of which saw a tree catching fire on Browett Road on Tuesday, June 23, then flames spreading to a house and causing significant damage on Thursday, June 25.
“The 40-year-old unemployed man has been charged with six counts of arson and one count of arson with intent or reckless behaviour to endanger life.
“He has been bailed with conditions to appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday, July 13.”