John Rowlands gets two years for arson. He set fire to his Oswestry flat and endangered residents.
The sentencing happened February 7. Rowlands had admitted arson, which happened back in October 2024.
Detective Constable Anslow, who works with Shropshire’s Reactive CID, spoke about it. He called Rowlands’ actions idiotic, dangerous, and reckless.
Rowlands started the fire on purpose in his ground-floor apartment. He then just walked away from it, not caring about others’ safety.
Rowlands is now a convicted arsonist who will spend time in jail. Anslow thanked the fire service for their quick response that night. He also thanked Unicorn Road residents for their help with the complex investigation.
The fire happened March 3, 2022. Rowlands, who is 47 years old, started the fire in his bedroom. His flat was on Unicorn Road in Oswestry.
The fire service arrived fast and put the fire out. It did not spread to other homes inside the same building. Police arrested Rowlands at the scene and later charged him with arson.
A court gave him a sentence of two years and two months at Shrewsbury Crown Court.