Four charged with series of arsons in Leeds and North Yorkshire

The four, two males aged 18 and 17, and and a 17-year-old female were charged with conspiracy to commit arson between August 12 and October 9, after ten fires in east Leeds and in Sicklinghall, North Yorkshire.　

It followed fires at The Yew Tree public house, in Ellerby Lane, Cross Green; Paws For Thought Pet Centre, in Greenfield Road, Burmantofts; Motosave, in Roseville Road, Sheepscar; and at Sicklinghall Cricket Club in North Yorkshire.　

Jaike Paton, 18, from Wetherby Road, Sicklinghall, is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court today along with the two youths from Leeds.　

Daniel Simpson, 30, from The Clearings, Leeds, appeared at the same court on October 12 charged with the same offence.

He was remanded in custody.　

Inspector Anthony Scopelliti said: “Incidents of arson, such as these, cause understandable concern in the community and we will continue to work closely alongside our partners in the fire service in the run-up to bonfire night to reduce incidents and keep our communities safe.”