Arsonist who crashed car in police chase jailed

An arsonist who set fire to two cars - before leading police on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed - has been jailed.

Krzysztof Orzechowski, 32, forced a family to flee their home in Slough, Berkshire, when he set the vehicles alight and the fire spread to their house on 9 March.

Six days later, he drove at speeds of up to 100mph on winding roads as he tried to evade officers before losing control of the car on a corner. He was unhurt and arrested.

Orzechowski, of no fixed address, admitted arson with intent to endanger life and driving a motor vehicle dangerously and was jailed for five years and seven months, with an extended period of three years, at Reading Crown Court last week.

A victim of the house fire said the impact of Orzechowski's crime, which caused substantial damage, had left him and his family "frightened, unsettled and constantly on edge", and wondering if they would ever fully recover.

Det Con Chloe Winchcombe, of Thames Valley Police, said Orzechowski was a "dangerous offender and a risk to the public".

She added: "It is incredibly fortunate that no one was hurt after Orzechowski set fire to two cars in the middle of the night and recklessly drove at high speeds in a futile attempt to evade arrest.

"Thames Valley Police will never tolerate such offending so we will always work tirelessly to bring perpetrators like Orzechowski to justice and support victims."

He also pleaded guilty to counts of possessing cocaine and cannabis or cannabis resin.