CRAIG BARTON

SHERBURN HILL MAN JAILED FOR ATTEMPTING TO SET EX PARTNERS HOME ALIGHT

Craig Barton, who resides in Sherburn Hill near Durham, has been ordered to detention following multiple allegations of extremely violent crimes.

He faces charges including unconfrimed sexual misconduct posted online by popular exposure pages, domestic assault that involved aggravating factors, and arson.

Distressing images showing a woman with severe injuries inflicted by Barton have been circulated on social media.

Additionally, there is an alleged video that purportedly shows Barton setting fire to the residence of a woman with whom he was involved in an abusive relationship.

——————————————————————————————————- SENTENCING UPDATE 29-11-2025 An arsonist who poured petrol on the front door of his ex-partner’s home before igniting it and walking away has been locked up.

Craig Barton got involved in an early morning argument with the woman before heading off to pick up some petrol in a jerry can and setting the door alight.

The 28-year-old was caught on CCTV starting the fire before walking away and leaving flames running up the door, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Charles Thompson, prosecuting, said the woman and her cousin were able to extinguish the fire before it took hold.

He said: “He rushes into the garden, opens the jerry can, douses the door with petrol and then lights it on fire.

“For a moment, he watches the flames licking the door before calmly walking out of the garden with the door still alight.

“At no point does he make any attempt to put out the flames or to assist in it being extinguished.” The court heard how the defendant has previous convictions for breaching a non-molestation order and a common assault on the same victim.

Barton, of Local Avenue, Sherburn Hill, County Durham, was found guilty of arson being reckless to whether life was endangered following the fire on April 4.

Judge Timothy Stead jailed Barton for four years and six months for the arson attack at the property in Peterlee.

Barton was also issued with a seven-year restraining order to protect the victim.