A former staff member of Avon and Somerset Police has been given a suspended sentence after a jury found him guilty of arson. Mark Pickford, 60, of Downend, was sentenced to a two-year jail term that was suspended for two years, meaning he walked free from court.
Pickford was found guilty of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered. He was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, December 6, 2024.
A fire broke out along Badminton Road, Downend, a residential area of northeast of Bristol, at around 8.15pm on Friday, June 2, 2023. The fire destroyed two hedges, two BMW cars and damaged the frontages of nearby homes. Nobody was injured in the blaze that was started deliberately by Pickford.
At the time of the offence, Pickford was employed as a member of Avon and Somerset Police staff. He was in a non-public facing role, the force has said.
He was suspended following the fire and resigned before a misconduct process was completed. Pickford will be prevented from working in policing in the future.
A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said: "A man has been handed a suspended sentence after being convicted by a jury of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.
"The conviction followed a fire which happened in Badminton Road, Downend, at about 8.15pm on Friday 2 June 2023. It destroyed two hedges and two BMW cars as well as damaging the frontages of nearby homes. Thankfully, no-one was injured.
"Mark Pickford, 60, of Downend, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday 6 December 2024 to a two-year jail term suspended for two years.
"At the time of the offence, he was employed as a member of Avon and Somerset Police staff, in a non-public facing role. He was suspended and resigned before a misconduct process could be completed. He will be prevented from working in policing in the future."
