-19215 minute ago
A man has been jailed for six years today (27 Nov) following an incident in Carlisle in July 2025.
Joseph Sessford, aged 40, of no fixed abode was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to burglary and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
The court heard how on 2 July 2025, Sessford broke into an address on Mayfield Avenue and stolen a number of items from within, including wine, a joint of beef, tools and trainers.
Sessford put the stolen items into a suitcase before he set fire to the curtains in the living room, the bed and a suitcase and left the address.
He was arrested on 22 July in Whitehaven.
Detective Constable Jakub Wysocki of Cumberland CID said: “Sessford’s actions had a serious impact on his victim and it is fortunate there were not more serious consequences.
“Given that the victim’s bungalow was attached to another property, there was a very realistic prospect that, if not for quick response from the Fire Service, the fire would have spread to adjacent property and could have endangered residents’ life.”
“I hope the sentencing today shows how seriously police and the courts take these types of offences.”
Investigating and preventing burglary is a priority for the force, with offences being scrutinised and subject to enquiries under Operation Themis
Joseph Sessford, aged 40, of no fixed abode was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to burglary and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
The court heard how on 2 July 2025, Sessford broke into an address on Mayfield Avenue and stolen a number of items from within, including wine, a joint of beef, tools and trainers.
Sessford put the stolen items into a suitcase before he set fire to the curtains in the living room, the bed and a suitcase and left the address.
He was arrested on 22 July in Whitehaven.
Detective Constable Jakub Wysocki of Cumberland CID said: “Sessford’s actions had a serious impact on his victim and it is fortunate there were not more serious consequences.
“Given that the victim’s bungalow was attached to another property, there was a very realistic prospect that, if not for quick response from the Fire Service, the fire would have spread to adjacent property and could have endangered residents’ life.”
“I hope the sentencing today shows how seriously police and the courts take these types of offences.”
Investigating and preventing burglary is a priority for the force, with offences being scrutinised and subject to enquiries under Operation Themis