A 20-year-old man from Macclesfield is behind bars after trying to set fire to a house on a Wilmslow estate using three industrial fireworks.
On Friday, May 13th, Daniel Greenslade was sentenced at Chester Crown Court to eight years in a young offenders institute, having been found guilty at an earlier hearing of arson with intent to endanger life.
Greenslade smashed through a downstairs window of a house in Moorsbrook Road on 11th November 2010. He then threw three large fireworks in through the window, two of which exploded setting fire to the lounge and sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky.
DS Andy Harwood said: "Greenslade knew that his victim was inside the address and it is chilling to think that the consequences could have been very tragic indeed. Thankfully his victim's neighbours heard the explosion and alerted her and the emergency services."
The incident took place at 11pm when his victim was at home on her own. She heard a bang downstairs and looked into her back garden where she saw Greenslade crouching by a window. She then saw him throw something through the lounge window and moments later she heard a loud explosion and neighbours shouting her to get out of the house.
The victim escaped unharmed, but had to be treated for smoke inhalation along with two neighbours who tried to beat back the flames but were overcome with smoke.
The extent of the damage to the lounge was considerable.
DS Andy Harwood said: "Two of the fireworks caused the fire and a third was found by the fire investigator who said the firework within such a confined space had the potential to cause serious fire and explosive damage.
"This type of behaviour is abhorrent and never acceptable. Somebody could have been killed, and the sentence given today reflects the seriousness of Greenslade's actions."
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There can be no extenuating circumstances whatsoever.