A man was jailed after torching a vehicle recovery site to destroy evidence of a £500k cannabis seizure.
The site held wrecked cars, along with crime-related vehicles stored by the police. Some burned cars were linked to serious crimes, including attempted murder investigations, burglaries, and a robbery. Fire experts determined the fire was deliberate, wrecking the building and all vehicles. The fire originated in or near the seized van.
Police discovered hidden cannabis in the van, valued at approximately half a million pounds. It’s believed the fire was intended to destroy the van and the concealed drugs. Investigators meticulously gathered evidence, revealing that Martinson drove to St Neots in a Range Rover and parked it near the recovery site.
Martinson, along with two other men, broke into the site, an act captured by security cameras. The men quickly fled, leaving behind a jerry can. Cameras later recorded smoke, and Martinson’s Range Rover was spotted near the van. He bought fuel using a similar jerry can.
Police later found the dropped jerry can hidden under a car. The barcode matched one purchased by Martinson’s partner the day before, after he ran out of fuel. Martinson lived in Grays, Essex, and was the sole insured driver of the Range Rover. He admitted to owning the vehicle.
His phone records placed him in St Neots at the time the fire started. Police arrested Martinson, who refused to answer questions. He was charged with arson, alleging his actions endangered lives. The trial took place in Cambridge, where the court found him guilty.
He received a thirteen-year prison sentence, along with an additional four years on licence. The judge described it as “brazen criminality,” stating that he attempted to destroy evidence. The judge noted the strong, albeit circumstantial, compelling evidence against him.
DC Lauren Kirkup, an investigator, stated that the fire caused the roof to collapse and resulted in major structural damage. Fortunately, no one was working inside at that hour. Twenty-nine vehicles were completely destroyed. Some had been seized, and nine were linked to serious collisions. Families may not get justice because evidence was lost.
Martinson’s actions impacted an attempted murder case and an ongoing burglary series. The fire significantly affected a local company, leaving the manager feeling frustrated and helpless after building the business for 23 years. Damages currently exceed £1.8 million. This case shows how small evidence pieces can lead to a conviction.