Go to blazes

FIREFIGHTERS tackle the blaze at Oldham Sofa Company

A COMPANY boss has hit out at the “ridiculous” sentence handed out to his vengeful brother, who twice set fire to his business.

Christopher Eastham (50) set fire to the Oldham Sofa Co in May and June, causing £110,000 worth of damage. He was jailed on Friday for 32 months.

Speaking after the sentencing, his brother and co-owner of the company, Ian Eastham said: “It is ridiculous. He should have been given a harsher sentence for what he put my family and the company through.”

“Luckily the fire crew was nearby when he set the first fire and put it out quickly. But it still caused a huge amount of damage to stock, and destroyed orders.”

Christopher Eastham aimed to disrupt the company’s business after being let go in January, following complaints by customers and staff about his attitude.

Ian, who owns the company with Dale Wild, asked the defendant to take a weekend off and think about his attitude, but Christopher didn’t return.

The court was told Eastham worked there as a labourer and wanted to invest, but was refused in favour of someone with greater business experience. This led him to feel resentful.

Eastham, who was described as a “loner” with few social connections, first broke into the company’s factory at Holden Fold Mill on May 3 and set fire to materials, causing around £35,600 of damage.

When out on bail he committed the second arson attack on June 23. Firefighters evacuated five nearby houses and the blaze destroyed the factory and caused £80,000 of damage.

The company, uninsured at the time, was only able to survive by applying for credit from suppliers.

At Manchester Crown Court on Friday, Eastham was jailed for 32 months - 12 months for the first attack and 20 months for the second. A restraining order also prohibits him from contacting or visiting his brother or the company.

Judge Bernard Lever said: “We have heard you do not feel any remorse for what you have done. This is not the way a man of 50 with a previously good character should behave. I understand you were upset, resentful and felt hard done by, but by trying to punish your brother, you have punished yourself.”

Speaking afterwards, the defendant’s brother said he was disappointed with the result: “We struggled to get the business back on its feet. We were recovering and waiting for the sentencing for the fire when he went out and did it again.”

He said the second attack was much worse, leaving the company to start from scratch. the company now has new premises and continues to grow.