Arson prosecution dropped against accused man

A man who was accused of carrying out an arson attack on a residential property will no longer be prosecuted.

Both floors of an end-of-terrace building were damaged by fire in Suffolk Drive in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, on 1 September 2024. No-one was injured.

Patrik Belle, 56, of Winnall Valley Road, Winchester, was due to face a charge of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

Judge Nicholas Rowland told Southampton Crown Court it was no longer in the public interest to proceed with the case, which would lie on file.

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