Teen sentenced for string of 'reckless' arson attacks

A 19-year-old man has been jailed after a string of arson attacks that caused an estimated £150,000 worth of damage.

Przemek Trojecki, who pleaded guilty to nine offences, started fires in Fishponds and Stapleton in Bristol last year, damaging cars and homes, one of which was so severe the family had to move out.

Trojecki, from Fishponds, was sentenced to five years and three months in a young offenders institution during a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday.

"Trojecki's actions were reckless and could easily have caused serious injury," said DS Jeremy Cowburn, adding that the fires left people fearful, "which is totally unacceptable".

He was also handed an indefinite Criminal Behaviour Order which means Trojecki is now prohibited from carrying materials that could be used to start fires, and from going to the areas affected by his offending.

The teenager targeted a number of cars between April and September 2025. In two cases the blazes spread to people's homes.

One family were forced to move into temporary accommodation with their young children, while others were left without vital transport, police added.

Trojecki was caught following a CCTV appeal, with a search of his phone showing he repeatedly looked up the incidents online and how someone could be sentenced for it.

On Tuesday, Trojecki pleaded guilty to two counts of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, six counts of arson of a vehicle and one count of criminal damage to a vehicle in which tyres were slashed.

Police said two counts of attempted vehicle arson were left to lie on file.

During sentencing, Mr Recorder Daniel Pawson‑Pounds said Trojecki had placed people in "clear danger", calling it "sheer luck" the consequences were not more serious.

His actions also took up the time and resources of the fire service, Pawson-Pounds said.

Cowburn, of Avon and Somerset Police, said the arson attacks "had a profound impact" on the victims and local people.

"We are grateful to the victims and community for their support because we know it was a particularly difficult time for everyone while Trojecki was at large," he added.

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