Two men who caused a major fire and mass evacuation to be sentenced

Two men who pleaded guilty to setting fire to a former print works in Crewe during the summer disorder causing widespread disruption and displacing hundreds of residents will be sentenced in April.

A third was found not guilty following a trial.

James Evans, 19, from Welles Street in Sandbach, Justin Keeling, formerly Evans, 18, from Catherine Street in Crewe and Peter Lord, 20, of Pedley Street, Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court on 29th January for a trial. 

Evans and Keeling pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered on the first day and Lord was found not guilty on 3 February. Keeling also admitted to perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

Evans and Keeling have been remanded in custody to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on 14th April.

The disused industrial premises targeted by the men is located on the junction of Catherine Street and Frances Street in Crewe town centre and is surrounded by a number of terraced houses.

The two entered the building on the afternoon of Friday 9th August and set fire to a large pile of cardboard. 

The fire quickly set hold significantly and it was declared a major incident. A large-scale evacuation of five streets was undertaken, while firefighters from all over the county descended on the compact terraced streets of the town and remained on scene for several days.

Residents were displaced to leisure centres, or friends and family while firefighters fought to put out the fire.

More than 350 people were affected by the evacuation as their homes were at risk, in fact some houses were damaged as a result of the fire.

When officers arrived to manage the crowds and put cordons in place, Keeling was in the crowd of onlookers. He laughed at police and swore at them. He was told to move away and he shouted for people to riot.

The media descended on the chaotic scenes and interviewed residents about their plight. Justin Keeling, formerly Evans, despite being one of the two men who had caused the devastation, had the audacity to do an interview with the BBC.

The excerpt from the article read:

Justin Evans, of Catherine Street, said he had been left devastated, shocked, confused and annoyed by the incident.

“I had to move out on Friday night along with other residents on Catherine Street because the flames were that big,” he said.

“All the businesses stuck together and they helped deliver food to everyone which was great, it’s great to see in a crisis everyone worked together.”

He also said he would now have to get his house deep cleaned to get rid of lingering smoke particles.

Two days later when police visited Keeling at home while doing door to door enquiries, he said he saw the fire when he was walking back to Catherine Street with Evans and Lord. He claimed to have seen some youths near the building, climbing over a gate onto Bedford Street.

As a result, further enquiries led to a 12-year-old boy being arrested. But he was later released without charge.

Keeling then admitted to a friend that he was inside the building with two others and police were informed. He was arrested and then released on bail. Days later a video filmed by him was discovered on his seized mobile phone by police.

The footage filmed inside showed a large amount of cardboard in there - one pile could be seen alight. As the phone panned round more piles of cardboard could be seen on fire.

As a result, all three men were re-arrested that day on suspicion of arson being reckless to endanger life. Despite the video evidence they still denied the offence, though Keeling later admitted to perverting the course of justice for deceiving police with the false sighting of the youths.

DC Mike Edwards said:

“This incident ripped residents out of the comfort of their own homes. The men’s cowardice, ideocracy and selfishness put residents in significant danger.

“Their actions put a substantial strain on the police service and could have put people who needed police at that time in danger or harm. Thankfully, other officers from the surrounding areas assisted Crewe LPU during this time.

“The fire also left officers with considerable health issues and caused them to have time off work. All thanks to the act of three individuals.

“They took such a casual approach when starting the fire as evidenced in their flippant filming of the act and showed no understanding for just how quickly it can get dangerously out of control.

“Following their actions, they left the scene and walked casually back to Keeling’s home address, laughing and joking along the way. Keeling and Evans had ample opportunity to come forward to tell us what had happened, but they failed to consider the effect their actions may have on the lives of the surrounding people and their properties.

“Instead, they decided to show no remorse for their actions or the danger that they not only put themselves in, but also the residents of Crewe.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all residents who were evacuated in assisting us in our investigation and providing CCTV to help with our enquiries. Your efforts have helped in convicting these people of a serious crime and they deserve the justice they are served.”

DS Ryan Ogden said:

“The fire caused such devastation and disruption to the community. Some families have still not been able to return home due to the fire damage caused. Lives and family homes were put at risk that day. 

“Police and Firefighters remained on the scene for days trying to dampen down the fire and prevent further homes from ruin. The clean up afterwards and the cost borne by Cheshire East Council and the taxpayer was significant.

"Keeling had the audacity to taunt and verbally abuse police officers on the day of the fire and also told other people present at the cordons that they should cause disorder making what was already a difficult incident harder to manage. The fact he then gave an interview to the BBC days later and played the victim only rubs further salt into the healing wounds of the community.

“Their motive for setting fire will never be known but their actions are incomprehensible and was further exacerbated by the fact it took place during the summer disorder.

“Their stupidity has now seen them in court for the very serious offence of arson and no doubt will be expecting a substantial prison sentence for their mindless actions.”