Stalybridge man jailed for setting fire to police officer's personal car

A Stalybridge man has been jailed for more than three years after setting fire to a local police officer’s personal vehicle.

At around 9.20pm on Monday, February 3, two GMP officers were leaving Stalybridge Police Station when they heard glass smashing and saw a fire underneath a vehicle belonging to one of the officers.

They then saw a man throw an object at the car before leaving the scene on foot towards Trinity Street. He was detained nearby by one of the officers a short time later and identified himself as Glyn Edwards of Stephens Road.

He was arrested, taken into custody and later charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

The 49-year-old pleaded guilty and yesterday, he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, via video link at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Wayne Marshall, of GMP’s Tameside district, said: “This was an unprovoked arson attack which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a police community support officer’s personal vehicle, whilst they were hard at work protecting the very community in which this happened.

“Edwards committed this crime with an unbelievably brazen attitude – right outside a police station where frontline police officers frequently come and go. Though Edwards claims he was paid to set the car on fire, he has consistently refused assist us with our enquiries by revealing who paid him.

“I hope today’s result demonstrates to members of the public that Greater Manchester Police is 100% committed to bringing criminals to face justice and that neither GMP nor the justice system will tolerate this kind of behaviour."