Five year’s youth detention for arsonist

A man has been jailed after causing tens of thousands of pounds in damage by starting multiple fires in Fishponds and Stapleton last year.

Przemek Trojecki was sentenced to five years and three months in a young offenders institution after pleading guilty to nine offences. His early guilty plea and vulnerabilities outlined by the defence were taken into account in the sentence.

He was also handed an indefinite Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), prohibiting him from carrying materials which could be used to start fires, and preventing him from going to the areas affected by his offending. Any breach of such an order is a criminal offence which could lead to a further prison term.

The 19-year-old damaged a number of cars between April and September 2025, and in two cases the fires spread to people’s homes.

Trojecki, who was living in Fishponds, was identified following a public CCTV appeal and arrested within 24 hours.

The estimated value of the damage he caused is more than £150,000, but the effects on the families involved have been significant.

One family home was left uninhabitable and they had to move into temporary accommodation with their young children. Other people were left without vital transport, and worried about what might happen next.

DS Jeremy Cowburn said: “This series of arson attacks has had a profound impact on the victims and the wider community of Fishponds.

“The fires caused a significant amount of damage to people’s property but also made people fearful, which is totally unacceptable.

“Trojecki’s actions were reckless and could easily have caused serious injury.”

Trojecki’s phone was analysed after his arrest and detectives found evidence that he had on multiple occasions carried out internet searches around the series of incidents.

He had used a search engine to research sentencing guidelines for the offences he was committing and even the rules around when custody images could be released to the public.

Trojecki pleaded guilty to the following crimes and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday 29 September:

• Two counts of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered
• Six counts of arson of a vehicle
• One count of criminal damage to a vehicle in which tyres were slashed

A further two counts of attempted vehicle arson were left to lie on file.

Sentencing, Mr Recorder Daniel Pawson‑Pounds said Trojecki had placed people in “clear danger” and that it was “sheer luck” the consequences were not more serious. He added that Trojecki’s actions had caused widespread anxiety as well as taking up the time and resources of the fire service.

DS Cowburn added: “We have worked closely with Avon Fire and Rescue Service in response to these incidents and that collaborative approach has helped to secure these convictions.

“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.

“We regularly issue public appeals for information and this case highlights the importance of someone coming forward to help us identify suspects, because without that individual – who knew Trojecki – contacting us, it’s highly likely more incidents would have occurred.”