Two arsonists who targeted a string of haulage yards across the North-east, causing millions of pounds worth of damage have been jailed for a total of 15 years. Thomas Mackell was found guilty of targeting six compounds in a series of attacks between 2001 and 2002 and was jailed for 12 years. John Loxley was found guilty of being involved in the attack on one of the yards and was jailed for three years.
The attacks spanned a period from 1999 to 2003 and had baffled police who estimate
that the damage of all the attacks totals £18m. DCI Winton Keenan says: "Mackell and Loxley are clearly dangerous criminals and the sentences should serve as a warning to others." Police have never established a motive for the arson attacks. Firms targeted included Owen Pugh, Union Trucks and Simpson Bros.
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