Jail for arsonist who wrote off £225k bus

TEENAGER TOOK THREE ATTEMPTS TO SET FIRE TO SEAT ON TOP DECK

- CARL JACKSON Court Reporter

A TEENAGER landed National Express with a £225,000 bill after he torched a double decker bus.

Theo Francis had three attempts to set fire to a piece of paper, which he left on a seat on the upper deck of the no.33 service in Kingstanding, in Birmingham.

He then got off as flames spread while other passengers were sitting on the lower deck.

Francis remained on the run for months prompting West Midlands Police to issue a wanted appeal, showing CCTV images of him wearing dark clothes and a balaclava with his hood pulled up.

The then 16-year-old, who is now 18, initially denied it was him after being caught but went on to admit a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Francis, of Finchley Road, Kingstanding, was sentenced to two years and seven months at Birmingham Crown Court.

The incident took place around 10pm on October 25, 2023 as the bus went along Brockwell Road.