Man jailed for starting fires in Wimborne area
David Robert Giddins, 45, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of arson
A man who caused over £256,000-worth of damage during a series of vehicle fires in the Wimborne area has been jailed.
David Robert Giddins, 45 and of Wimborne, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of arson at Bournemouth Crown Court in June 2025.
Overnight between Sunday 14 May and Monday 15 May 2023, a series of vehicle fires took place in the Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley areas.
Damage was caused to 18 vehicles, as well as a number of buildings, costing in excess of £183,000 to repair.
Detectives were able to identify Giddins as the man who started the fires and he was arrested a few days later.
Giddins was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court today (26 September) to four years and eight months in custody.
At the sentencing hearing, he had a further six arsons taken into consideration, which occurred in 2018 and January 2023 in Wimborne at a further cost of £73,000.
Detective Constable Neil Hooker, of Dorset County CID, said: “The reckless actions of Giddins caused significant and substantial damage and it is extremely lucky that nobody was injured.
“Following the arrest of Giddins, we worked very hard in the following months to pull together all of the evidence to ensure that he was held to account for his irresponsible behaviour.”
Chief Superintendent Julie Howe, of the Dorset County Local Policing Area, said: “Detectives in this case conducted a complex and comprehensive investigation and I am pleased that Giddins is now facing the consequences of his actions.
“These incidents had a real impact on many residents in our communities and I am extremely glad that we were able to get justice for them.”