A 67-year-old man has been sentenced to three months in prison for committing arson in Derry/Londonderry earlier this year.

Stephen Greer was sentenced at Londonderry Magistrates Court on Friday, 5th July. The court outcome follows a report to police, from the NIFRS, during the early hours of Friday, 5th April, at 2.55am about material being set alight in a communal hallway of flats in Somme Park. 

Detective Sergeant Gingell said: “A number of residents were in their flats, a place where they should rightly feel safe, at the time this reckless crime was committed. Thankfully, a quick response from firefighters meant the blaze was extinguished with damage contained to the floor of the hallway. There's no doubt, however, this incident was extremely upsetting and worrying for residents and, understandably, caused great fear and concern."

Detective Sergeant Gingell added: "The community can be reassured we will work tirelessly to gather evidence and bring those responsible for crime before the Court where they will be held accountable for their actions."

To contact police, call 101, always 999 for an emergency. You can also submit a report to police online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org