A man who set fire to a van parked near to a nursery in Bridlington has been sentenced to one year and two months behind bars.
Following his appearance at Hull Crown Court last week (Friday, 31 October 2025) Ben Dobson, 38-years-old of no fixed abode was charged with arson, assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a bladed article, and later pleaded guilty to all offences.
On Thursday, 10 July 2025, Police received a call from Humberside Fire and Rescue Services reporting that they had just extinguished a fire after a white Ford Transit van was discovered alight parked near to a nursery on Blenheim Road in Bridlington.
Officers were immediately deployed and attended the scene and commenced house to house and CCTV enquiries in the area.
Humberside Police say they then received a further call from a member of the public claiming that someone called ‘Dobby’, later identified as Ben Dobson, was the one who deliberately set the van on fire.
Following the extensive enquiries conducted within the immediate area, eagle-eyed officers swiftly spotted Ben Dobson based on a description that had been given by CCTV operators and members of the public in the area. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Whilst Officers were trying to detain Dobson, he became aggressive and made threats to spit at them, assaulting the arresting Police Constable in the process. Thankfully, the officer was not injured as a result.
During a subsequent search whilst Dobson was getting detained, a Stanley knife was found in his pocket and he was further arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, and possession of an offensive weapon.
Whilst in custody Dobson was interviewed and placed himself in the area but denied any involvement in the fire, he answered no comment to questions in relation the possession of the knife and assaulting the officer.
Meanwhile, enquiries continued to establish the full circumstances around the report, and detectives got to work trawling through CCTV from around the area to build evidence.
A man matching the description of Dobson was quickly spotted walking on Quay Road towards the street where the van was first found. Dobson was then seen again on CCTV walking onto Blenheim Road before deliberately setting fire to it and fleeing the scene back onto Quay Road.
After this evidence was put to Dobson, he decided to plead guilty to arson and possession of a knife.
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Ian Foster said:
“Dobson knowingly set the van alight without a second thought as to whether the person he knew was living in it was inside at the time.
“Not only this, but he also had absolutely no regard for the fact he started a fire adjacent to a nursery which could have very easily ended in disaster considering how quickly fires spread. Thankfully, whilst no one was injured as a result of Dobson’s deliberate actions that day, the fire still caused around £800 of damage to the nursery’s fence as well as thousands of pounds worth of damage to the van, which was also someone’s home.
“To then be found with a knife in his possession just goes to show the level of intent to cause fear, intimidation and harm that Dobson went out with that day.
“There is never a reason to carry a knife, and those who choose to do so to protect themselves or intimidate others, but no matter what the reason, carrying a knife can and does have devastating consequences.
“Thanks to the quick response from emergency services, the fire was contained before it spread any further, and Dobson was stopped before causing any more harm.
“It’s incredibly fortunate that no one was physically harmed, but the emotional impact on those affected should not be underestimated.
“Dobson was completely reckless, and I am reassured he is now behind bars, and I hope he will be able to reflect on his behaviour.
“Arson is not only a crime against property, but it also endangers lives within our communities so let this result be a warning that we will look to hold those accountable for their crimes.”
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