An innocent family could have been killed after their home was mistakenly targeted in an arson attack linked to a gangland feud. Stuart and Claire Marsden had enjoyed a night out together before returning home and going to bed just before 1am. But they were woken up shortly after by a 'loud crash'. Mr Marsden went to investigate and found a large fire in their rented end-of-terrace home in Bury.
He and his wife were able to escape the blaze, but their house was severely damaged and nine months on, remains uninhabitable. Their children had been staying elsewhere for the night.
Attack caught on CCTV
Police recovered footage which showed Jody Lynam and a second, unknown offender approaching the house, at about 1.40am on January 18 this year. The unknown man smashed a window before Lynam poured petrol inside. An 'explosion' was caused and the pair fled.
Lynam was caught after DNA from a balaclava which he discarded nearby was traced to him. Minshull Street Crown Court was told that drug addict Lynam and his co-offender had been acting on orders from a drug dealer, who pressured them into targeting a rival dealer to 'send a message' and intimidate. They were told that the property would be empty, the court was told. But it ended in a devastating case of 'mistaken identity'.
Judge's sentencing remarks
“This could have been multiple people killed,” a judge said, before sentencing Lynam to six years and nine months in prison. Prosecuting, Anthony Williams told how Mr Marsden shouted to his wife to get out of bed, as they saved their dog and grabbed a phone to call the emergency services.
The fire was extinguished but it caused more than £113,000 worth of damage. In a statement read on his behalf, Mr Marsden said: “I have absolutely no reason why anyone would want to do this.” He told how he has been left 'traumatised' and in 'constant stress'. “I am constantly on edge and keep thinking my whole family could have been wiped out, for no reason at all,” he added.
Mrs Marsden said: “We have lost everything. The children have lost all their Christmas stuff. It is going to take so long to build everything back up. I have done nothing to deserve this.” The couple work as a social worker and a school site manager, the court heard.
Defendant's background
Lynam has racked up 122 previous offences on his criminal record. Defending, Adam Brown said that Lynam had been in poor health prior to the arson attack, but had been released from hospital and then became addicted to crack cocaine. He said Lynam's home had been 'commandeered' by drug dealers and that he was 'highly intoxicated' at the time of the attack. He is 'genuinely remorseful' and is in a 'much better position' than when he was first placed on remand in prison after his arrest, Mr Brown said.
The family were initially placed in a hotel and then temporary accommodation. The home still remains uninhabitable. “This was an extremely serious offence,” Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth told Lynam. Lynam, of Hardfield Street, Heywood, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
