Five men from Durham area admitted arson charges on Newcastle property

A police investigation was launched after the same address on Fossway, in the Walker area, a property owned and inhabited by the family of John Henry Sayers, was targeted on January 31 and February 2, this year.

John Reid, Grant Royal, and Mitchell Smith all previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Co-accused Grant Curley and Walter Patterson admitted arson with intent to endanger life.

Five men from the Durham area were jailed at Newcastle Crown Court today for arson attacks on the same Newcastle property (Image: Northumbria Police)

All five were remanded in custody and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court today (Thursday December 4) where they were sentenced by Judge Gavin Doig.

Curley, 35, of Luke Crescent, Murton, was jailed for four years’ and nine months.

Grant Curley jailed for arson attacks in Newcastle (Image: Northumbria Police)

Patterson, 38, of Jubilee Crescent, Sherburn Hill, was jailed for four years.

Walter Patterson, jailed for arson at Newcastle Crown Court (Image: Northumbria Police)

Reid, 46, also of Jubilee Crescent, Sherburn Hill, was jailed for five years’ and six months.

John Reid, jailed for arson attacks on property in the Walker area of Newcastle (Image: Northumbria Police)

Royal, 49, of Bedfordshire Drive, Belmont, was jailed for five years’ and nine months.

Grant Royal jailed for arson attacks on same property in Newcastle (Image: Northumbria Police)

Smith, 26, of Elemore Lane, Easington Lane, was jailed for five years’ and four months.

Mitchell Smith jailed for arson attacks in Newcastle (Image: Northumbria Police)

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Speaking after sentencing, Detective Inspector Steve Brown, of Northumbria Police, said: “Violence has absolutely no place whatsoever in our communities.

“We will pursue offenders and bring them to justice.”

“Thanks to the diligent work of all involved in the case, all five men were left with no choice but to admit their guilt and they are now facing spells behind bars.”