Arsonist who torched asylum seeker hotels jailed

An Iraqi sheep farmer who deliberately set fires at two Essex hotels used to house asylum seekers has been jailed.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Rawand Abdulrahman, 37, deliberately torched his accommodation in a bid to be moved elsewhere.

Abdulrahman, who lived at both The Phoenix Hotel in North Weald Bassett and The Bell Hotel in nearby Epping, was charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life and convicted following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in March.

The asylum seeker was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison and three years on extended licence when he appeared at the same court on Friday.

Emergency services were called to blazes at The Phoenix Hotel on 28 March last year and The Bell Hotel just over a week later, on 5 April.

Investigators from Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service concluded the fires were started deliberately.

Officers identified similarities between the two incidents and found Abdulrahman had been staying in the hotel rooms at the time of the fires.

Abdulrahman was arrested and charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

He denied the allegations but was convicted following a trial on 20 March.

Ch Insp Terry Fisher of Essex Police, said Abdulrahman's actions placed lives at risk.

"These fires could easily have been even more serious and had even more serious consequences," he said.

"We will investigate offences wherever and whenever they take place, regardless of who is involved.

"Thanks to our investigation, and the support from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, he has been held accountable".

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