Arsonist and burglar jailed after crime spree

An arsonist and burglar who set fire to his home has been jailed.

Archie Tallack set light to a mattress in a bedroom at the terraced house in Gladstone Street, Mansfield.

It is believed he had argued with the woman he shared the address with earlier in the day.

She returned to the property around 9.35pm on 9 April 2024 to discover rooms had been trashed and the bedroom was on fire.

Firefighters put out the blaze quickly and prevented it spreading.

Earlier the same day, Tallack and his friend Scott Blake stole a television after breaking into a flat in a multi-occupancy home in Gladstone Street.

Following the fire, police were then called to the town’s St Peter’s Retail Park where it was reported two offenders were using a shopping trolley to break into Home Bargains.

Officers found Tallack and Blake inside the store, heavily intoxicated having attempted to steal alcohol.

Twenty-two-year-old Tallack, of Gladstone Street, was jailed for two-and-a-half years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday (14 August).

He had earlier pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered and two counts of burglary.

Blake, aged 26, of Gladstone Street, was jailed for 16 months, suspended for two years.

He had pleaded guilty to two burglaries on 15 May 2024.

Detective Inspector Andy Hall, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“The fire was lit in a terraced property, meaning there was a very real risk of it spreading to neighbouring homes and putting families at risk.

“Tallack was incredibly reckless and put the lives of people on the street in serious danger through his actions.

“His crime spree also included a home break-in and raid on a retail park store with his accomplice Scott Blake.

“I’m pleased both have now been dealt with and Tallack has received an immediate jail sentence.”