A Wimborne man has been locked up after causing Overover £256,000 Worthworth of damage in a shocking arson rampage. David Robert Giddins, 45, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of arson at england/england/bournemouth/”>bournemouth/”>Bournemouth Crown Court on 26 June 2025.
Multiple Vehicle Fires Ignite Chaos Across Dorset
Between the night of Sunday 14 May and Monday 15 May 2023, a string of vehicle fires erupted across the Dorset towns of broadstone/”>broadstone/”>Broadstone, Wimborne, and Merley. The blaze-hit streets included Wentworth Drive, Oakley Hill, Oakley Road, Merley Way, Stour Walk, New Borough Road, Grove Road, and Leigh Road.
Dorset County CID, assisted by the fire service, launched a detailed probe that confirmed the fires were deliberately set. The infernos damaged 18 vehicles and several buildings, pushing repair costs past £183,000.
Detectives Crack Case Using CCTV and Witnesses
Investigators poured over CCTV footage and gathered statements from victims and onlookers. Their tireless work led to the arrest of Giddins just days later, on 17 May 2023.
At sentencing, the court also took into account six additional arson attacks by Giddins from 2018 and January 2023 in Wimborne, which cost another £73,000 in damage.
Giddins Slapped with Lengthy Prison Term
Giddins was sentenced to four years and eight months behind bars at Bournemouth Crown Court on 26 September 2025. Dorset Police praised the detectives’ efforts in bringing the arsonist to justice.
