Arson terror at docklands supermarket

By Rob Virtue on April 10, 2008 10:20 AM |

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SHOPPERS and staff watched in terror as a man tried to set light to a Docklands supermarket.

Raymond Barrett, 54, of Stewart Street on the Isle of Dogs, was sent to jail for the attack which caused almost £20,000 worth of damage to ASDA.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how the crazed arsonist, who was also waving a 10-inch knife at staff, sprayed turpentine over four rows of clothing at the East Ferry Road, Isle of Dogs, store and threatened to torch it.

Before he could cause any more damage, Barrett, who had smoked up to 12 cannabis joints in the previous 24 hours, was bundled to the ground by a security manager at the store.

Sentencing him to a year in prison last Friday (April 4), Judge Alan Pardoe QC said: “The danger of what you did needs no emphasis from me.

“Had the turps been set fire to the results are incalculable. It is a large site; there are a great deal of flammable products around.”

You selected a clothing department and the risks to life and limb, and property were very great indeed.”
The arson attempt happened on August 29 last year.

The court heard that Barrett walked into ASDA at 8.30am and put four bottles of turpentine into his trolley.

He then walked up to a member of staff in the clothing department and said “I’m going to set fire here” before ripping off his shirt.

He opened two bottle of turps and began spraying them over four aisles of clothes before the security manager confronted him.

Barrett said to the security worker that he was going to “burn this place down”, while waving the knife at him.

When Barrett turned his back to him, the security manager got him in a bear hug and bundled him to the ground.

More staff helped restrain him and police soon arrived to arrest Barrett. He was then taken to hospital for psychiatric assessment before being cleared for questioning.

Ben Hayhurst, for the prosecution, said that nearly £19,000 worth of damage was caused to the clothes and the store. ASDA also claim to have lost £5,000 due to the loss of business during the clear up.

The court heard that Barrett had smoked between 10 and 12 cannabis joints in the 24 hours before the incident. He had no motive for attacking the store, but has a history of depression and drug abuse.

Barrett had pleaded guilty to arson at a previous hearing and Michael Conning for the defence, said he had no recollection of the incident.

The judge sentenced him to a year in prison, followed by another year on licence. Barrett is due for release later this year as he already served 218 days before the sentencing was made.