Hastings Man Jailed for Dangerous Arson Spree
Alex Reynolds, 27, from Edmund Road, Hastings, has been locked up for nine years and three months after torching two homes in East Sussex. The serial arsonist’s fires put lives in serious danger.
First Blaze Wrecks Bexhill Home
The first fire struck on 13 November 2023 at a house on St Marks Close, Bexhill. Police rushed to the scene just before 10pm after the property suffered major damage. Reynolds was nabbed shortly after but initially released as the probe continued.
Second Fire Shakes St Leonards
Less than four months later, on 19 March 2024, another suspicious blaze broke out at a Theaklen Drive property in St Leonards. Reynolds was caught close to the scene and arrested again. Investigations confirmed he was at both crime sites, sealing his fate.
Lengthy Sentence for ‘Dangerous’ Offender
Reynolds pleaded guilty to both arson counts — first at Lewes Crown Court in May for the Bexhill blaze, then in July at Brighton Magistrates’ Court for the St Leonards fire. Lewes Crown Court handed him six years and three months in prison, plus a three-year extended sentence after branding him a dangerous risk to the public.
Detective Sergeant Chris Milner said, “Reynolds is a serial arsonist who was escalating his offending to the point that he was risking the lives of others and causing significant damage. I am glad we can bring justice to the victims.”
Reynolds now faces a long stint behind bars, with Sussex Police applauded for cracking down on this frightening arson threat.
