Man jailed for arson spree to pay off cannabis debt

A Bridgend man who claimed he was forced to carry out a series of arson attacks to pay off a cannabis debt has been jailed for four and a half years.

Thomas Scammell, 27, from Clos Helyg, North Cornelly, used an accelerant to set fire to four vehicles across south Wales and Berkshire in a terrifying campaign that targeted his dealer’s former girlfriends and their families.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Scammell had built up a debt after purchasing cannabis from his dealer, leaving him “beholden” to him. The defendant claimed he was then coerced into torching the vehicles as part of revenge attacks.

The arson spree

The campaign began on 25th April last year when Scammell travelled to Newbury to set fire to a Renault Clio belonging to the dealer’s ex-girlfriend. The following day, the victim received a threatening message from the dealer and spoke to Scammell on the phone, during which he described himself as the “guy who gets s**t done”.

Three more arsons followed in quick succession. On 2nd May, a Seat Leon was destroyed by fire. On 18th May, a Nissan Micra was torched. The final attack came on 26th June when Scammell set alight a Mercedes Sprinter belonging to the ex-girlfriend’s father. The victim had already fled his home due to fear caused by the earlier attacks.

All four vehicles were set ablaze late at night whilst parked on driveways or outside the owners’ homes.

“Utterly lawless campaign of fear”

Sentencing Scammell, who pleaded guilty to four counts of arson, Judge Paul Hobson said: “What followed was an utterly lawless campaign of fear carrying with it considerable danger to other properties, other houses and other vehicles.”

The judge added: “You knew what you were doing and knew it was designed to instil fear.”

Defence barrister Rose Glanville told the court her client had been threatened by the dealer, who messaged him saying: “You owe me a debt, if you don’t do it I’ll also have your car burnt.” She said Scammell’s own car and his partner’s vehicle had been damaged.

Ms Glanville explained the defendant did not carry out the arsons for money but “out of fear”, and that he is responsible for caring for his partner and three children. The court also heard that Scammell’s mother had died whilst he was on remand, leaving him distraught.

Scammell, who has previous convictions from when he was a youth, was sentenced to a total of four years and six months’ imprisonment. Judge Hobson did not find him to be a dangerous offender.