Arson probe after blaze at home of ‘Teflon Don’
ARSON PROBE AFTER FIRE FOLLOWS SENTENCING
A home at the centre of an arson inquiry belongs to a “Teflon Don” who is serving a jail term for endangering life by setting fire to houses.
Firefighters and police were called to Shrewsbury Crescent, in Humbledon, Sunderland, just after 12.30am on Saturday after the blaze was reported.
The Echo has been told by nearby residents that the house belongs to Alan Smart, who spent two decades terrorising people across Wearside as he acted as an underworld enforcer.
A home at the centre of an arson inquiry belongs to a “Teflon Don” who is serving a jail term for endangering life by setting fire to houses.
Firefighters and police were called to Shrewsbury Crescent, in Humbledon, Sunderland, just after 12.30am on Saturday after the blaze was reported.
Northumbria Police have confirmed an inquiry is under way, with the fire being treated as arson.
A large hole can be seen in the front window of the living room, with the front panel of the door missing.
In November 2015, a tipper truck crashed into the conservatory at the rear of the house.
The Echo has been told by nearby residents that the house belongs to Alan Smart, who spent two decades terrorising people across Wearside as he acted as an underworld enforcer.
Last week, the 39-yearold, whose address was given in court as Shrewsbury Crescent, was jailed for life following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.
He had denied arson on December 23 and 24, both 2011, and he denied arson with intent to endanger life on April 29, 2012, but was convicted of all charges.
Judge Deborah Sherwin sentenced Smart to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of seven-and-ahalf years.
The court was told Smart was recruited by a “significant drug dealer” to set fire to a house in an effort to recover a £10,000 drugs debt from rap singer David Baker.
As the case concluded, Detective Inspector Dave English said of Mr Smart: “He was like the Teflon Don.”
Anyone with information about the fire can contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“He was like the Teflon Don” DET INSP DAVE ENGLISH