Kian Minister, 24, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 4 September 2026 after admitting three counts of arson, three counts of criminal damage, attempted arson and attempted criminal damage — all committed within a single 24-hour period across Canterbury and Ashford.
Minister was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to the offences, which were all carried out on 27 March 2026. Two of those months were for breach of an existing community order.
It started at around 5.30am on Sturry High Street, where a wheelie bin was set alight and destroyed. Minister then tried to start a fire at Stour Retail Park using a toilet roll — that attempt was unsuccessful — before moving to a Mercedes-Benz dealership on Mill Road, where he ignited tyres. The blaze spread to the dealership building itself. Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service both attended and put out the fire. No injuries were reported, according to Kent Police.
Later that same day, at Ashford International station, Minister used a fire extinguisher in a bid to damage a footbridge, then smashed three car windscreens with a traffic cone. Officers found him shortly afterwards near a skip outside the station. He had set fire to further items which burned out.
He was charged the following day.
Investigating officer PC Evie Taylor-Ryall said: “Minister’s reckless yet deliberate actions caused significant damage to business and property, and potentially risked serious harm to members of the public. Through swift enquiries, officers were able to secure key evidence to link the offender to each incident, enabling us to build a strong case with multiple charges authorised within 24 hours of his arrest. This case demonstrates our determination to take robust action against those who commit offences of this nature, and Minister has now rightly been held to account for his crimes.”