Dilovan Sindi poured petrol over the furniture and several people inside a Newcastle barbershop, on Stamfordham Road, on May 23, 2023.
The 39-year-old – who was captured on CCTV walking into the venue with a petrol-filled can – got into a struggle, which ended with a lighter he was holding igniting the fuel.
What followed was a horrific explosion, leaving Sindi with serious injuries and another victim with 65% burns to his body. The victim remained in hospital for six months.
Dilovan Sindi (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)
A child and his father who were in the shop at the time were physically uninjured but both continue to suffer serious psychological effects from the attack.
Meanwhile, one man escaped without injury, while another sustained minor injuries to his leg and continues to receive psychological counselling as a result of the incident.
It is believed that Sindi, of Sulgrave Road, Washington, was in dispute with the owner of the business and was looking to target him.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on the morning of May 23, where Northumbria Police immediately launched a probe and swiftly identified Sindi as the person who started the blaze.
The aftermath of the Newcastle barbershop blaze (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)
Sindi required several months of hospital treatment following the incident – but once released, he was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.
In September last year, as he was due to go on trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Sindi entered guilty pleas to arson with intent to endanger life, grievous bodily harm and attempted wounding.
Sindi was remanded in custody following the hearing and was back at the same court today (Wednesday), where he was sentenced to seven years and two months in prison.
The aftermath of the Newcastle barbershop blaze (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)
Following the hearing, the officer in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Rona Malessa, of Northumbria Police, said: “First and foremost we would like to pay tribute to the victims.
“They have been put through a horrendous ordeal and we hope that they can take some closure now that their attacker has been jailed.
“I would also like to thank our partner organisations Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and the North East Ambulance Service who were so crucial to the emergency response on the day in putting out the blaze and getting those injured the appropriate treatment before transporting them to hospital.
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Detective Inspector Malessa added: “Sindi’s actions on May 23, 2023, were utterly abhorrent and he caused serious, life-changing injuries to one of his victims.
“It is fortunate that we are not dealing with much worse outcomes given the seriousness of the attack that day.
“I hope this case demonstrates to the public that we will always look to prosecute violent offenders in our communities and do everything we can to put them before the courts and bring them to justice.”