David Robert Giddins set fire to cars in Wimborne in May 2023. Picture: Dorset Police

Crime News

David Giddins jailed after torching 18 vehicles in Wimborne area

Paul JonesSeptember 30, 20250 Comment0

DAVID Robert Giddins has been jailed after causing more than £256,000-worth of damage when he set vehicles on fire in Wimborne.

The 45-year-old, of Wimborne, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of arson at Bournemouth Crown Court on June 26 after a string of fires in the Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley areas overnight between May 14 and 15, 2023.

Locations included Wentworth Drive, Oakley Hill, Oakley Road, Merley Way, Stour Walk, New Borough Road, Grove Road and Leigh Road.

An investigation by detectives from Dorset County CID, assisted by the fire service, established the fires had been started deliberately, damaging 18 vehicles, as well as a number of buildings, costing in excess of £183,000 to repair.

Detectives were able to identify Giddins as the man who started the fires and he was arrested on May 17.

On Friday (September 26), at Burnemouth Crown Court, he was sentenced to four years and eight months behind bars.

At the sentencing hearing, he had a further six arsons taken into consideration, which occurred in 2018 and January 2023 in Wimborne, at a further cost of £73,000.

A number of vehicles were damaged by fires started by Giddins in May 2023. Pictures: New Stour & Avon

Detective Constable Neil Hooker, of Dorset County CID, said: “The reckless actions of Giddins caused significant and substantial damage and it is extremely lucky that nobody was injured.

“Following the arrest of Giddins, we worked very hard in the following months to pull together all of the evidence to ensure that he was held to account for his irresponsible behaviour.”

Chief Superintendent Julie Howe, of the Dorset County Local Policing Area, said: “Detectives in this case conducted a complex and comprehensive investigation and I am pleased that Giddins is now facing the consequences of his actions.

“These incidents had a real impact on many residents in our communities and I am extremely glad that we were able to get justice for them.”