Brighton arson and theft suspect remanded by court

The man suspected of starting three fires in Brighton and stealing from the evacuated premises has appeared in court charged with similar offences.

Thomas Ashcroft, 34, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody by Canterbury magistrates yesterday (Monday 3 September) until Monday 17 September.

He is then due to appear at Canterbury Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.

Ashcroft was charged with burglary and arson with intent to endanger life at two hospitals in Kent – in Gillingham and Canterbury – and at a Hilton hotel in Sheffield.

A similar offence was committed at Crawley Hospital last week and at three properties in Brighton.

They were the Royal Albion Hotel in Old Steine at 2pm on Sunday (26 August), Brighton Museum and Art Gallery at noon the next day and the Sea Life Centre also on Monday at about 4.30pm.

Ashcroft was arrested by Kent Police on Friday (31 August) and charged on Saturday (1 September),

Detective Inspector Lee Whitehead, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the NHS for their assistance with the investigation and the preventative measures that were put in place to prevent harm before an arrest was made.

“Thankfully no one was injured in these incidents.

“I’m pleased we are able to present before the courts today for these offences and we await the outcome of the courts.”