Skip to content

Sacked pub worker set fire to Wetherspoons

Cheshire Police A police mugshot of William MorrisCheshire Police
William Morris was recognised by staff on CCTV setting fire to his old workplace

A man who set fire to a Wetherspoons pub after being sacked has been jailed for arson.

The blaze began at The Ferry Boat in Runcorn in the early hours of 21 October 2022, according to Cheshire Police.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service contacted the force to say they suspected arson, and a man was seen on CCTV starting a fire at the rear of the pub.

Wetherspoons staff recognised him as William Morris, 32, who had been sacked the previous month.

Google Streetview The Ferry Boat in Church Street, Runcorn, situated on a corner plot with an orange sign and black writing, and purple frontage. There are two tables with four chairs outside.Google Streetview
The Ferry Boat sustained £1,385 worth of damage in the fire

Morris, of Boston Avenue in Runcorn, was arrested at home where officers found clothing matching the suspect in the footage.

He denied starting the fire and claimed he was at home, but analysis of phone data showed the device was near the area of the pub on Church Street at the time.

Morris later pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, and appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday for sentence.

The court heard the pub sustained £1,385 worth of damage in the fire.

Firefighters said the blaze could have put the lives of residents in adjoining properties at risk if it had spread further.

Morris was locked up for 32 months and made the subject of a seven-year restraining order banning him from returning to the pub.

PC Morgan Bower, of Cheshire Police, said: "I hope Morris uses this time behind bars to reflect on the recklessness of his actions."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected]