Woman jailed after Swansea McDonalds arson
A table was set alight earlier this year
Last updated 22nd Oct 2025
A woman has been jailed for six months after setting a fire inside Swansea city centre’s McDonald’s.
Leah Hocking, 39, of no fixed abode, entered the fast-food restaurant at Castle Square on March 4, before light a fire on a table.
She also stole a mobile phone from another diner during the same visit. During her arrest, Hocking then aimed multiple kicks at a police officer.
On July 28 she pleaded guilty to arson, theft and assault by beating of an emergency worker. She also pleaded guilty to criminal damage under £5,000 after admitting to damaging the door of a city centre coffee shop on the same day.
PC Abbi Crocker said: “Leah Hocking’s behaviour was mindless and she did not care whether she caused harm to herself or to others.
“That kind of irresponsible and anti-social behaviour is not at all welcome on the streets of Swansea.
“People like her make good, law-abiding people fearful of coming to the city centre out of worry for being targeted for no apparent reason. She deserves her spell in prison.”