A man accused of setting ablaze 18 cars in a spate of arson attacks which caused £170,000 worth of damage and left horrified families fleeing their homes has been pictured for the first time.
David Giddins appeared at court today charged with 18 counts of arson for the crime spree that shocked locals.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of multiple fires in Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley, in Dorset, in the early hours of May 15, 2023.
Police were called to 18 reports of damage to vehicles and properties between 1am and 2am.
These included a pub as well as a flat where a mother and her two young daughters had to flee from in their pyjamas after a Ford Ka parked below was set ablaze.
