Man behind bars after deliberately starting fires in Guildford

A man who deliberately started three fires on the same night in Guildford has been sentenced to over six years behind bars for arson.

Ronald Griffin, 34, from Cabell Road, Guildford, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court last Tuesday (18 July), after pleading guilty to one count of arson with intent to endanger life and two counts of arson.

The sentencing follows an extensive investigation into a string of fires that were started in the Woking Road and Bellfields Road area in Guildford on 19 October 2019.

Griffin began by setting a wooden gate alight on Woking Road at around 3.50am, before targeting a caravan parked out in front of another house on the same road. Following this, Griffin set fire to a van parked in the car park of the Stoke and District Horticultural Society, followed by a garage at the rear of a property on Woking Road.

By the time officers attended, a house on Woking Road was ablaze and several fire crews were at the scene.

Forensic teams investigated and Griffin’s DNA was discovered at all the fire sites. He was arrested on 22 October 2019 for arson with intent to endanger life. He was subsequently charged with seven offences.

He later pleaded guilty to two counts of arson and one count of arson with intent to endanger life, with the remaining offences to lie on file.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Vicky Allen said: “Griffin’s actions caused considerable alarm and distress to those living in the area. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured but his behaviour could have resulted in a far more tragic outcome.

“I hope this sentence demonstrates that this kind of intimidating and reckless behaviour will not be tolerated in our local communities, and we will continue to work hard to keep Surrey as safe as possible.”