Factory Worker Jailed for Three Years After £1m Arson & Burglary Attack at Natsons Midland Packaging

A 31-year-old factory worker has been jailed after launching a unexplained arson attack on a toilet roll manufacturing site where he worked that left the business with £1 million in damage and put several colleagues out of work. 

Ajay Ajay, of Forest Avenue, Thurmaston, was sentenced to three years imprisonment on Wednesday 26 August after pleading guilty to charges of arson and burglary at a hearing in June. 

The court heard that around 7:32 pm on Sunday 25 January, Ajay wearing a hood and face covering, broke through the perimeter fence of tissue products manufacturer Natsons Midland Packaging Limited in New Star Road, equipped with petrol. Once inside the factory, he set about piling armfuls tissue paper into various factory equipment before setting them alight at 8:02pm and swiftly walking away, with the fire alarm beginning to ring out. 

The damage from the resulting blaze forced the factory to work at a reduced level for nearly six months and put several staff members out of work while the business struggled to recover.

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Separate video from a petrol station showed him purchasing the fuel and container earlier that evening. 

Officers executing a search warrant at his home recovered clothing matching the suspect's attire on the night of the attack, as well as footwear and the bank card used to buy the petrol. 

Ajay handed himself in at Mansfield House Police Station several days later after learning he was wanted by police, but maintained total silence during interviews and offered no motive for the attack.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Shannon Clare noted that the damage exceeded £1 million, that the defendant demonstrated no remorse, and that the strength of the evidence ultimately left him with no choice but to admit his guilt.

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Commenting on the case and its impact, she said: “When Ajay was interviewed, he stayed silent throughout, he gave no account as to why he committed the offence.

“The business was not operating fully for several months and many employees were left without a job. The damage to the machinery was in excess of £1m, Ajay showed no remorse for the impact his actions had on many people.

“The evidence against Ajay was overwhelming and he had no choice but to plead guilty. We are pleased with the outcome of this case and hope it helps the victims move on from the events of January and rebuild their business.”