Arson group crashes Range Rover into rival's house

Members of a criminal group involved in a series of arson attacks on a rival's property have been sentenced to prison. The group carried out two separate attacks within a span of three days, one of which involved ramming a Range Rover into the building. The five men, all from County Durham, were found guilty of planning and executing these attacks at a mixed residential and business property in Byker, Newcastle, linked to John Henry Sayers.

The first attack occurred on January 31, 2025, when a Vauxhall Astra, driven by Grant Royal, stopped outside the property on Fossway. Royal was accompanied by two men, Grant Curley and Walter Patterson. The trio set fire to Mr. Sayers' VW Golf. Surveillance footage revealed that the men had earlier filled up their car and a petrol can at a fuel station in Durham, where Curley also bought gloves. After setting the fire, Royal drove away, but the fire was contained quickly due to a 999 call from a passerby, prompting swift action from firefighters.

The second attack took place on February 2, 2025, at around 7:30 PM. Curley reversed a black Range Rover into the property, although he had to do it twice after forgetting to apply the handbrake. Patterson then set the vehicle on fire. As he tried to flee, he was caught by people from the building, and later found by police nearby, seriously injured. Curley managed to escape in a van, driven by Royal, which was following the Range Rover.

More severe damage was avoided when Mr. Sayers intervened by leaning into the burning Range Rover and releasing the handbrake, allowing the car to roll into the street. Throughout the attacks, the arsonists maintained regular communication with John Reid and Mitchell Smith, who were also involved in planning the attacks. Reid and Smith drove to Tyneside at the same time as the arson incidents occurred, helping to orchestrate the raids.

The prosecution emphasized that the attacks were planned in advance, with reconnaissance carried out on the property, and vehicles moved around as part of the preparations. The prosecutor argued that these were "gang feud" actions and posed a serious danger to human life. The defendants' lawyers, however, argued that the men were unaware of the people living in the building and were merely following orders, with some claiming they were paying off drug debts.

The five men admitted to arson offenses and were sentenced to varying prison terms for their actions. They were convicted for recklessly endangering lives during the arson attacks. The sentences were as follows:

• Mitchell Gary Lewis Smith, 26, sentenced to 5 years and 4 months for conspiracy to commit arson and recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
• Grant Curley, 35, sentenced to 4 years and 9 months for two counts of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
• John Reid, 46, sentenced to 5 years and 6 months for conspiracy to commit arson and recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
• Grant Royal, 49, sentenced to 5 years and 9 months for conspiracy to commit arson, recklessness as to whether life was endangered, and two counts of driving while disqualified.
• Walter Robert Patterson, 38, sentenced to 4 years for two counts of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

Judge Gavin Doig emphasized that the identity of the target did not impact the severity of the sentences. He noted that all the men played a role in planning and executing the arson attacks, and were reckless about the safety of those inside the building. He also mentioned that none of the men would serve more or less time in prison based on who the attack was aimed at.

In addition to his prison sentence, Royal was banned from driving for six years and nine months.

Author: Benjamin Carter