Edward Bourne, 42, ignited fires at a couple’s bungalow while they slept, receiving an eight-year sentence for his actions.
Edward Bourne, a 42-year-old resident from Tunley Street in Stone, was sentenced to eight years in prison for the arson of a bungalow in Swynnerton, where a couple and their newborn baby were sleeping at the time. On March 26, 2018, Bourne ignited fires at both the front and back doors of the victims’ home, endangering their lives.
During proceedings at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, it was revealed that Bourne had purchased petrol and a canister just two hours before starting the fires. He was seen in the vicinity of the property by a neighbour shortly before the incident occurred. Following the outbreak of the fire, neighbours intervened to help the family escape, and when firefighters arrived, Bourne approached a fire officer, seemingly offering assistance, while allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
Bourne initially denied the charge of arson with intent to endanger life but was convicted after a four-day trial in December 2024. The victims provided emotional impact statements outlining the psychological toll the fire has had on their lives. One victim expressed, “Fear and anxiety have been a constant companion for almost seven years. I fear for their safety,” adding that the nature of the fire felt like a “personal attack” on their family. The couple eventually relocated since they could no longer bear living in a home that served as a constant reminder of the traumatic event.
Judge Sally Hancox, during sentencing, cited Bourne’s trial delays, attributed to several factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and a serious injury Bourne sustained at work in 2022. Nonetheless, she pointed out that Bourne’s continued denial of responsibility exacerbated the situation, contributing to the protracted timeline of the case. Judge Hancox commented on the serious implications of his actions, particularly noting that Bourne had previously been in a short relationship with one of the victims.
As part of his sentence, Bourne is required to serve up to two-thirds of his prison term before being eligible for release on licence. Additionally, a restraining order was implemented, prohibiting him from contacting his victims until further notice.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire – This URL could provide news coverage of local incidents in Stoke-on-Trent, potentially including arson cases similar to Edward Bourne’s.
- https://www.gov.uk/courts-and-tribunals – This URL offers information on the UK court system, which could include details on sentencing guidelines and procedures relevant to Bourne’s case.
- https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/arson – This URL provides legal guidance on arson charges, which could support the legal aspects of Bourne’s conviction.
- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/ – This URL explains PTSD and other psychological impacts of traumatic events, which could corroborate the emotional toll described by the victims.
- https://www.gov.uk/restraining-orders – This URL provides information on restraining orders, which were part of Bourne’s sentence, prohibiting him from contacting his victims.
- https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/arson – This URL offers guidance on sentencing for arson offenses, which could support the reasoning behind Bourne’s eight-year sentence.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references a recent trial in December 2024, indicating relatively fresh information. However, the incident itself occurred in 2018, which might suggest some elements are not entirely new.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quotes appear original to this context, as there is no readily available earlier source for them online. This suggests they might be the first recorded use of these specific statements.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a local news outlet, which generally provides reliable local news coverage. However, it may not have the same level of international recognition or scrutiny as larger publications like the BBC or Reuters.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are plausible given the context of a criminal trial and sentencing. The details about the incident and legal proceedings align with typical reporting on such cases.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be based on recent legal proceedings with plausible details. The quotes seem original, and while the incident itself is from 2018, the trial and sentencing are recent. The source is a local news outlet, which generally provides reliable information.
