A man has been sentenced for setting fires at two iconic Manchester locations. He will be detained in a secure hospital due to his mental health issues.
He was homeless and struggling with mental health issues when he lit the artificial ivy outside the hotel. Thankfully, firefighters arrived quickly and contained the blaze, but it caused around £150,000 in damage.
Just weeks earlier, he had also set fire to the Royal Exchange Theatre. That fire was quickly extinguished, but it still caused significant damage.
CCTV footage helped police identify Carter, who was arrested shortly after. He admitted to starting the fires, saying he couldn’t sleep.
In court, it was revealed that Carter had a long history of mental health struggles. He was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia and had been living on the streets for two years.
The judge noted that his mental health issues should have been addressed earlier. Carter has shown some improvement since receiving proper treatment.
However, his behavior in the secure hospital raised concerns about his risk to others. The judge decided that a hospital order was necessary to protect the public.
Carter’s actions were serious, and the judge emphasized the potential for fatal consequences. He will remain in a secure facility until it’s deemed safe for him to be released.
