Indian-origin man admits arson attack at commercial centre in UK

An Indian-origin man has pleed guilty to an arson attack on a commercial centre in city of Leicester in central England and will be sentenced for crime at a hearing in June.

Parvinder Singh, 28, mitted "arson being reckless as to wher life was endangered" when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court last week following blaze at Belgrave Commercial Centre in January 2019.

Businesses were destroyed in fire leaving owners, staff and community devastated, Leicestershire Police said.

"This was a devastating incident for residents, business owners and workers in community. Businesses were completely destroyed and it is extremely fortunate that re were injuries in fire. Lives could have been lost on that night because of actions of one man," said Detective Constable Gemma Allen from force.

"I am pleased that a guilty plea has been entered and hope this helps those affected by Singh’s actions as y continue to rebuild from devastation that was caused that night,” she said.

Singh, from city of ttingham in central England, was remanded into custody after entering guilty plea on April 24 and will be sentenced on June 12. Police h been called to fire just after 10 pm on January 6 last year, where fire service were also in attendance tackling blaze.

Initial enquiries involving police and fire investigators quickly determined that fire h been started deliberately and an investigation was launched. "While people were inside premises affected at time of fire being started, fortunately -one was injured in incident,” Leicestershire Police said.

Witnesses were spoken to in area, CCTV was analysed and public appeals were me. CCTV obtained showed a man with a bag on some crates in area prior to fire.

man was n seen to crouch over before standing up and walking off – ticing a flame coming from where he h been as he left. fire was n seen to ignite on CCTV as man left area.

im of suspect was issued in a public appeal and through leaflets which were handed out in area asking for information. enquiries led to Singh being identified as man in CCTV and work was n carried out to locate defendant leing to his arrest in October last year, police said.