Jail for Mansfield Woodhouse man who set fire to family home in the dead of night

Declan Gilluley, aged 26, was staying at the address in Cox’s Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, when he set light to multiple firelighters in the early hours of October 22 last year.

Gilluley, who placed the blocks on an armchair and settee, originally claimed to have been woken by the blaze before he and the other occupants fled the property.

He later admitted to starting the fire by setting light to multiple firelighters around the downstairs of the property.

He admited reckless arson and was jailed for six years at Nottingham Crown Court. He will also spend an additional four years on licence.

Gilluley, who had no previous convictions, was living with his ex-girlfriend at her mum's family home of 21 years.

After their relationship ended, he insisted on continuing to stay at the address – even telling the family he had terminal cancer.

The court heard that he set fires in both the dining room and living room before going to bed. He later raised the alarm and the occupants narrowly escaped.

Detective Constable Gareth Peace, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Gilluley’s actions that night were reckless in the extreme.

“He set several fires downstairs as his victims were sleeping above him and could easily have cost multiple people their lives.

“I am pleased that he later accepted full responsibility for what he did and that he is now serving a significant jail sentence.”

Crews from Mansfield and Edwinstowe fire stations were originally called to the fire just after 5am on October 22, 2021.

Police and ambulance crews also attended, although the family managed to flee the blaze – one person needed treatment for smoke inhalation.

Five people were inside the property at the time – three adults and two children.

The community quickly rallied around the family after they were left temporarily homeless.

Linda Roe lived at the property with two of her daughters Kacey and Jess, along with Jess’s eight-year-old daughter Summer. They were forced to stay with Natalie Singhal, Linda’s other daughter.

Natalie said at the time, said: “It’s absolutely devastating – the house has been our childhood home for more than 20 years and they have lost everything.

“They managed to get out with just the clothes on their back, the kids didn’t even have shoes on.”