Man set fire to family members' homes, court hears

A man set fire to his own house and the homes of his brother and sister using petrol, a court has heard.

Karl Poxon started the three fires within the space of 14 minutes in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, shortly before 07:00 GMT on 21 November 2025, Leicester Crown Court was told.

Afterwards, he drove away at high speed, reaching 103mph (166km/h), before he crashed into a police car blocking his way.

The 51-year-old was sentenced to a hospital order on Friday after the judge saw two psychological reports that stated he had a psychotic illness.

He started the first fire after returning to his home in Holywell Avenue after dropping his son off at work.

The court heard Poxon poured petrol at the bottom of his stairs and set them on fire.

His two daughters were forced to jump out of a first-floor window and his other son also managed to escape, the court was told.

He then drove to the house of his brother in Prestop Drive, before pouring petrol on the driveway and the front of the house, again setting it alight.

His brother had left for work, but his wife and four sons had to escape the blaze.

Poxon drove to his sister's house, in Clifton Drive, where she lived with her partner.

The couple managed to escape after he again set the property alight having splashed petrol on the front of the house, the court heard.

Emergency services were called to all three properties and local police officers caught up with Poxon on the A15 in Lincolnshire.

He sped away, causing other drivers to take evasive action, before crashing into a police car that was blocking his way.

Poxon was arrested and charged with three counts of arson with the intent to endanger life and one count of dangerous driving.

Earlier in 2026, psychiatrists deemed Poxon was unable to stand trial, and in May, a jury was asked to determine the facts of the case.

On Friday, the court heard from Dr Hrishikesh Nachane, based at the Arnold Lodge mental health facility, who said his patient suffered from a psychotic illness.

He recommended that a hospital order be put in place by the court.

Sentencing, Judge William Harbage KC said: "These were very serious fires started with the aid of an accelerant.

"It is very fortunate that no-one was injured or even killed.

"In one fire, two teenage girls had to jump from the first floor and in one of the other fires, the house went up dramatically.

"In normal circumstances these would call for a significant prison sentence."

He imposed a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983, with a restriction order under section 41.

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