Skip to content

Man, 18, charged over fires at churches and schools

Eighty4Images/Instagram All Saints' Church in MackworthEighty4Images/Instagram
Aerial shots showed the extent of the fire at All Saints' Church in Mackworth

An 18-year-old man has been charged with seven arson offences following a series of fires in Derby.

Derbyshire Police said the charges followed fires that ravaged a Grade I listed church and destroyed a school in the city.

Johnny Brady, of no fixed abode, has been charged with offences between October and December 2020, the force added.

Mr Brady is due to appear before magistrates on 3 March.

Eighty4Images/Instagram Burnt out churchEighty4Images/Instagram
The blaze caused huge damage to the centuries-old structure

Police said he had been charged with the arson of the following buildings:

  • St Mary's Catholic School on 3 October 2020
  • Ravensdale Infant and Nursery School - between 4 October and 6 October 2020
  • Orangery Café on 6 October 2020
  • St Mathew's Church on 15 October 2020
  • Mackworth Community Centre - between 14 October and 16 October 2020
  • St Paul's Church - between 14 October and 16 October 2020
  • All Saints' Church on 3 December 2020

He has also been charged with one count of burglary in relation to damage caused to the science room at Murray Park school on 1 October 2020, police added.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service The fire has destroyed classrooms at the schoolDerbyshire Fire and Rescue Service
Another blaze destroyed classrooms at Ravensdale Infant School
Presentational grey line

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].