Two people have been given suspended sentences after a large fire that took place in Bury St Edmunds.

Dysney Sibbons, aged 23 from Flatford Close in Stowmarket was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months. Ashley Finley, aged 25, and from Borley Crescent in Elmswell was also sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months after both appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday 25 July. It follows an earlier hearing where they pair pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether property would be damaged.

Both also have to complete 280 hours of unpaid work and both have to pay costs of £1500.

Police were called by the fire service late one afternoon on Friday 29 September 2017 to reports that a retail premises called ‘Cycle King’ in Angel Hill was on fire. At least a dozen fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze and the building where it began was destroyed with adjacent properties sustaining considerable smoke and water damage. The area had to be closed to while fire crews remained on scene to dampen down the damaged site.

Although no-one was seriously injured or died in the fire it is estimated than with extensive disruption caused to motorists, pedestrians and residents and neighbouring businesses.

Later the same evening Sibbons and Finley were arrested on suspicion of arson and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning. Following subsequent enquiries made by police they were both served a summons to appear at court in connection with the incident on Tuesday 28 August 2018.

During the course of the case the court heard how both Sibbons and Finley, who both worked at the premises at the time of the incident, had cremated a dead mouse placed in a cardboard box in ‘Cycle King’ by spraying it with an aerosol and then ignited it with a lighter. This then ignited other cardboard boxes and despite their attempts to put the fire out with an extinguisher the fire had taken hold and the fire service was called to extinguish it.

Detective Sergeant Paul Cappleman from Bury St Edmunds CID said: “Both Sibbons and Finley will have to live with their irresponsible and dangerous actions for the rest of their lives. The fire caused extensive disruption to motorists, pedestrians and residents in the Angel Hill area of town and widespread damage to two neighbouring business premises that were flooded with water.

“It is very fortunate that no-one was seriously injured or died in the fire and to see both individuals sentenced for their reckless and immature behaviour is what they deserve.”