Mugshot of Andrew Robert Turner

Vengeful firestarter sentenced: Prison for Sandown man who set fire to his family home

A man who started a fire at his home address in Sandown has been jailed. Andrew Robert Turner, aged 59, of Beachfield Road, was charged with arson, being reckless as to whether life is endangered, following the fire which occurred on the morning of Saturday 26 November 2022.

The blaze caused significant damage to the house, which he lived in at the time with his now ex-partner.

Admitted committing the act
When police attended, Turner approached an officer in the street and admitted he’d committed the act deliberately. Turner was arrested, and officers found a knife in his pocket.

He also told police in interview that he had acted out in ‘revenge’ following the recent breakdown of his relationship.

Pleaded guilty
Appearing at Isle of Wight Crown Court on 30th January this year, he pleaded guilty to the arson as well as a separate charge of possessing a knife in a public place.

More than five years in prison
Turner appeared at the same court today where he was sentenced to five years and four months in prison.

Parsons: Reckless actions
DC Jodie Parsons said,

“Turner’s actions were incredibly reckless that morning.

“The risk to life when fires are started deliberately is clear. This case is made all the more shocking due to Turner’s own admissions that he was motivated by revenge as a result of not coping with the breakdown of his relationship.

“There is no excuse for acting so dangerously, and Turner has been rightly punished for this.”


News shared by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, in their own words. Ed

Image: nespirit under CC BY 2.0