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Ex-Royal Marine’s home is destroyed in arson attack after he stood up to youths who were terrorising his village during lockdown
- Sean Ivey and family inside home in Wingate when it was set alight on March 18
- Force confirmed second blaze at property took place at around 1am today
- Mr Ivey said home targeted because he spoke out about anti-social behaviour
A former Royal Marine whose bungalow was set alight twice after he called out the anti-social behaviour in his village said he and his family ‘were almost murdered’ while they were asleep.
Sean Ivey, his wife and their two children, aged seven and five, were asleep at their home in Wingate, County Durham, when it was set on fire along with their car and caravan by yobs on March 18.
The force today confirmed a second blaze which took place at the property at around 1am was also being treated as arson.
The father-of-two, who grew up in Wingate and returned after serving in the Marines, said his home had been targeted because he had spoken out after a series of anti-social behaviour incidents in the former pit village.
Former Royal Marine Sean Ivey’s bungalow was set alight twice after he called out the anti-social behaviour in his village
Mr Ivey, his wife and their two children has been sleeping at their home in Wingate, County Durham when it was set on fire along with their car and caravan on March 18
A police officer stands at the scene after Mr Ivey’s property was targeted by yobs
On Thursday, a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson, Durham Police said.
In a Facebook post after the initial fire, Mr Ivey said: ‘We’re good standing members of the community and now, because I spoke out against anti social behaviour my five-year-old boy, seven-year-old girl, wife and myself were almost murdered whilst asleep.
‘I want people to know that not enough is being done to curb anti social behaviour.
‘People are not being held accountable or responsible.
‘Help me to help you and everyone else who are becoming victims of the poison that lives in our local communities.’
On Wednesday, hours before the arson attack, Mr Ivey posted on social media that his parents had been robbed when four men burst into their home.
He also said he had a run-in at the weekend with a young biker ‘riding like a lunatic’ and saw another in the main street of the former mining village pulling wheelies and mounting the paths.
He called out groups of ‘young lads’ seen riding quad bikes, and gangs gathering outside a local takeaway.
He wrote: ‘Something really has to change!!!
‘I don’t know how and I do not know what we can do but I think it’s time that the people, the good people of our communities, got together and come up with some ideas to hopefully get rid of these thugs and clean up our streets.’
Emergency teams tackle the first blaze at Mr Ivey’s house on March 18 in Wingate
Mr Ivey said his property was targeted because he had spoken out after a series of anti-social behaviour incidents
The family’s car and caravan parked on the driveway were also torched in the arson attack this month
Durham Police have said that a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson
An online appeal to help Mr Ivey, who suffered a head injury while he was serving, raised more than £37,000 by Friday afternoon.
Keith Miller, who set up the page, wrote: ‘I served with Sean at 45 Commando and he is a man of exceptional character with integrity and humility.’
Durham Police said a dispersal order will be put in place over the weekend meaning anyone failing to leave the area when asked will face arrest.
Inspector Emma Kay said: ‘Thankfully nobody was inside the property at the time of the incident, but the fire has understandably had a huge impact on the family and the wider community.
‘I would like to reassure residents that a number of additional officers, PCSOs and staff are currently patrolling the area on foot, bikes and in cars and will be actively carrying out a number of enquiries as we move into the night and over the coming weeks.’
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