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Arson nearly kills family - Jock Trodden (19th Dec 2011 - 07:57:46) At or around 00:30 hrs on Tuesday 13 December 2011 an arsonist set alight a company vehicle belonging to JTS Civil Engineers Ltd. Flames from the fire quickly spread to the adjacent house at 25 Geales Crescent, Alton and occupied by Company foreman, Mr David Cashman, his wife Angie and their six children. The arsonists are known to have used petrol as an accelerant. Mr Cashman’s family narrowly escaped with their lives and the house suffered fire and smoke damage. This is not an isolated arson attack. In 2006 a £75,000 and a £5,000 Renault Kangoo survey vehicle were completely destroyed by fire in the driveway of South Lodge, Blackmoor. In 2009 petrol was poured through the letterbox on my Grade 2 listed home and the building set alight. From 2009 to date, arsonists have destroyed 5 fully kitted vans belonging to my Company. These vans cost £40.000 each when kitted for work. There were several other vehicles belonging to members of the public which were parked next to these vehicle and suffered severe fire damage as a result. What have I done that could explain this dangerous vendetta readers may ask? I settled in this area in 1976 and am grateful for the friendship, help and encouragement I have received from many friends and acquaintances in this beautiful county in building a successful company and property portfolio. Hard work and determination has been my key. No man or woman in this entire Nation could accuse me of any wrongdoing of any kind at any time in my 58 years. I am a Greatham Parish Councillor and sit on the planning committee. I have never knowingly lied to or cheated anyone. So what’s it all about? Like many people I am appalled by the behaviour of local “travellers” or criminals purporting to be travellers. They appear to behave in totally unacceptable ways and when challenged they play the Gypsy Card. I have many friends who are proper Gypsies and travellers, they are all as good as gold. I am descended from travelling stock myself. Then there are the criminals. In recent years I have objected to several dubious planning applications put forward by certain “travellers” (or criminals purporting to be travellers) in the immediate area. I have had cause to report unacceptable behaviour to the Environment Agency, police and other authorities. My colleague Mr Don Jerrard, who is also a Councillor in Greatham and Liphook similarly had his car set alight and destroyed whilst attending a PC meeting at Greatham Village Hall. The hall could very easily have caught alight at that time. Where and when will this madness end one wonders? I would appeal to the travelling community themselves to root out the culprits who are certainly in your ranks and turn them in to the police before someone is killed. I have posted a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. All that said we all live in the most beautiful area of England where the vast majority of law abiding citizens enjoy peace, tranquilly and serenity. I would like to take this opportunity to than Atcost windows of Passfield who measured up the 4 fire damaged windows, made them overnight and had them fitted within 48 hours thus allowing the family to take up residence for the big clean up. Jock Trodden Managing Director JTS Civil Engineers Ltd

Re: Arson nearly kills family - Thea (19th Dec 2011 - 22:39:00) This posting has made my blood run cold. That such a thing can happen in a community (and not for the first time) is an indictment on many - not least on local law enforcement. It is very frightening stuff indeed.

Re: Arson nearly kills family - katrina (21st Dec 2011 - 17:50:47) Jock what worries me is that you don't appear to know who would do such a thing to you and hold such a vendetta against you. It strikes me that you must have rubbed more than one person up the wrong way in the past. I suggest most ordinary people would know immediatley who was doing such a thing to endager their and their employees lives. If it is the 'travellers' then surely the police have a lead? Or are there a string of people whose lives you have involved yourself in?!?

Re: Arson nearly kills family - may (21st Dec 2011 - 21:53:09) You mention that you have opposed certain planning applications, I have a question to ask of you, how did you gain permission for your yard, which is situated on the A325, was it by established use or did you gain planning permission prior to setting up your business premises, the only reason I ask is where it is situated is not in an industrial area and seems an unlikely place to have a yard.

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