A Carlisle man has been jailed for five years for arson and assaulting police officers.
Paul Gillan, aged 43, was sentenced yesterday (5 September) at Carlisle Crown Court for arson, a public order offence and four counts of assault on an emergency worker.
The arson offence relates to an incident in the early hours of 17 November last year when Gillan set fire to a woman’s car.
Months earlier, in August, police were called to an incident where Gillan was reportedly drunk and making threats. Upon police arrival, Gillan was aggressive and threw a series of punches at four police officers.
Gillan was jailed for five years and was handed an additional two-year extension to his licence period.
Detective Constable Matthew Owens, Cumberland CID, said: “Gillan is a dangerous individual who put lives at risk when setting fire to a car in the early hours of a morning.
“The consequences of his actions could have resulted in serious injury or even death.
“The danger he poses to the public is also highlighted in the aggression he displayed towards police officers responding to concerns regarding his behaviour.
“We are pleased that Gillan has now been removed from society.”