Arsonist who torched nightclub is jailed
AVALLEY man who deliberately torched a nightclub has been jailed for 47 months. Police were called to a bar in Burnley in September last year, to reports of smoke coming from the premises.
Firefighters battled the blaze and once they had dealt with the incident they established the fire was of a suspicious origin, with two melted petrol cans found inside the DJ booth.
Jordan Schofield, of Goodshaw, was convicted of arson and attempted arson at Preston Crown Court.
AVALLEY man who deliberately torched a nightclub has been jailed for 47 months.
Police were called to Macs Bar on Hammerton Street, Burnley on September 26, last year, to reports of smoke coming from the premises.
Firefighters battled the blaze and once they had dealt with the incident they established the fire was of a suspicious origin, with two melted petrol cans found inside the DJ booth. CCTV footage showed a man, now known to be Jordan Schofield, from Crawshawbooth, using an angle grinder to detach the door lock and enter the club.
Once he gained entry, Schofield set fire to the DJ booth and bar area of the nightclub, before making his escape.
In the early hours of November 20, police were contacted by a member of the public who had seen a man attempting to break into the Illuminati Bar on Hammerton Street using an angle grinder.
Officers attended the scene and found Schofield hiding in the alcove of a building in Hammerton Street.
He was taken to custody and officers seized a red lighter, along with a black cable tie.
Police also discovered a green bag containing four plastic petrol canisters, each containing what is believed to be petrol, close to where Schofield was arrested.
They also found a black hoodie, gloves, a green North Face baseball cap, a torch and an angle grinder.
CCTV footage showed Schofield approaching Macs, while new damage was detected on the lock which had been replaced on September 26.
Schofield, 22, of Compston Avenue, was charged with arson and remanded into custody.
Last week he appeared at Preston Crown Court where he was convicted of arson and attempted arson.
PC James Jankovski, of Burnley CID, said: “Schofield’s actions were reckless and could have easily resulted in serious or fatal injuries being caused to others, as well as himself.
“Not content with his first attempt at burning the nightclub to the ground, Schofield returned to the scene of the crime and it was thanks to the vigilance of the public and speedy response of officers that he didn’t succeed in his aim.
“Lancashire Constabulary will not tolerate the kind of thoughtless behaviour demonstrated by Schofield and I hope he uses his time in custody to fully reflect on what he did.”