Whitehaven man convicted of arson at Poundland store

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 07:43 · Archive

Stuart Barrow, 39, started a fire at a Poundland doorway in Whitehaven where staff had ejected him days earlier.

Stuart Barrow, 39, a homeless man from Whitehaven, was caught on CCTV deliberately starting a fire at the doorway of a Poundland store on King Street at 3.30am on 16 March. The fire came to light when the store manager arrived for work at 7am and noticed a burning smell. CCTV footage showed Barrow collecting rubbish and piling it against the store's front door.

Barrow used a lighter and a can of deodorant to set the fire. He then walked away but returned to relight it. At one point he stared directly at the camera before making a defiant gesture. The manager recognised him because he had been removed from the store earlier that month.

The fire damaged glass panels that cost £1,584 to repair, Carlisle Crown Court heard. Barrow's defence barrister said he started the fire in a desperate attempt to get arrested because he was being targeted while street homeless. The defendant has previous convictions for arson, including setting fire to plastic bins in 2020 for which he received a conditional discharge. The barrister noted that Barrow had served the equivalent of an 18-month jail term while on remand awaiting trial.

How it is being reported

• Arsonist started fire at Poundland store where staff had ejected him days earlierA HOMELESS Whitehaven man was caught on camera as he deliberately started a fire at the doorway of a shop whose staff had ejected him a few days earlier.Whitehaven News · 9 Oct, 07:00
• Arsonist started fire at Poundland store where staff had ejected him days earlierA HOMELESS Whitehaven man was caught on camera as he deliberately started a fire at the doorway of a shop whose staff had ejected him a few days earlier.NW Evening Mail · 9 Oct, 07:00
• Arsonist started fire at Poundland store where staff had ejected him days earlierA HOMELESS Whitehaven man was caught on camera as he deliberately started a fire at the doorway of a shop whose staff had ejected him a few days earlier.News & Star · 9 Oct, 07:00

In this story: Stuart Barrow · Whitehaven · Poundland · Carlisle Crown Court

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