Couple who blamed child for Nantwich flat fire jailed

A couple who blamed a child for causing a major fire and evacuation in a block of flats in Nantwich have today been jailed.

Daniel and Charlotte Wollaston were jailed for three years and two years respectively for the blaze which happened last December on Laurel Place, Nantwich.

The couple, now of Goddard Court, Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court today (August 8) for sentencing after being found guilty of arson with reckless endangerment to life and perverting the course of justice following a nine-day trial.

Daniel, 32, will serve another three years on licence, while Charlotte, 37, will serve a further two on licence.

Both were also sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice, which will run concurrently.

The incident happened on December 14 when a fire broke out in a block of flats which fire crews attended.

The couple claimed to fire crews that a young girl – believed to be their daughter – had started the blaze with a lighter.

Twelve flats in the block had been evacuated a number of residents displaced.

Police were told that the child had used a long lighter to set fire to a pair of curtains.

The fire had started in one of the bedrooms and quickly spread through the flat, causing substantial damage.

However, a witness told police they had overheard an exchange between the pair in which Charlotte told Daniel that they would tell police it was the child who started the fire.

Daniel, Charlotte and the girl were taken to Leighton Hospital for assessment and officers spoke to the child.

At first she told officers she was responsible, but when explained she would not be in trouble if she told the truth, she disclosed it was actually started by Daniel.

She also said she had been in another room with Charlotte when Daniel came in and asked what she had done, stating the room she had been in earlier was “on fire”.

The child reaffirmed to officers she was not involved in starting the blaze, stating Daniel had used a long reach lighter to set a pair of curtains alight.

At that point, Daniel and Charlotte were arrested and the pair were interviewed.

Charlotte answering “no comment” to all questions posed to her and Daniel continuing to blame the child for the fire.

He told officers he and Charlotte were asleep when the child came into his room and told him the curtains were on fire, claiming he must have mistakenly left the lighter in a place where the child could find it.

Further inquiries into their mobile devices revealed Charlotte had recently searched for house swap pages on social media.

Detectives charged the pair shortly after.

Following the sentencing, Det Con Joseph Scott, who was the lead officer in the case, said: “Through their actions, Daniel and Charlotte have significantly damaged property and disrupted the lives of their neighbours.

“Their actions have endangered the lives of those in their community through the use of an uncontrollable fire and they have expressed no concern or remorse for what they have done.

“Furthermore, they have immediately attempted to portray the child involved in this case as their scapegoat, attempting to pin the fault on them and maintaining this lie throughout the following investigation and trial.

“Their actions were deplorable. I am pleased with the combined effort that has resulted in their convictions.”

Det Sgt Mitch Allford added: “Daniel and Charlotte Wollaston’s selfish decision of choosing to start a fire in their home not only left them without a place to live and their possessions damaged or destroyed, but it resulted in the displacement of their neighbours and the diversion of countless police, fire and ambulance resources that had to respond to this completely avoidable incident.

“But what is perhaps most shocking however is that the pair decided to point the blame in the direction of an innocent child who was not involved in the fire’s ignition whatsoever.

“No child should be made a scapegoat for an adult’s irresponsible actions, and I am glad that the jury in this case were able to see through their lies and find them guilty for their crimes.

“This case should serve as a strong reminder of how serious these crimes are regarded and robust action will be taken against anyone who chooses to behave in such manner.”