Man Charged Over Hospital Fires

A man has been charged by detectives investigating a fires at two Kent hospitals and been remanded in custody until 17th September.

Thomas Ashcroft, 34, of no fixed address, is accused of starting blazes at the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. He is also charged over another blaze at the Hilton Hotel in Sheffield.

Kent Police said he was charged on Saturday night night with three counts of arson with intent and three counts of burglary.

The fire at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital happened just before 3pm on August 30, during which there was a report of a theft from the hospital restaurant.

The day before, on August 29, a fire broke out at the Medway Maritime Hospital. No-one was reported injured in either of the hospital fires.

An arrest was made after CCTV images were released of a man police wanted to trace over the fires, which were investigated by police, the fire service and the NHS.