POLICE have renewed an appeal for information regarding the blaze which destroyed the iconic Mr Smiths building after charges were dropped against four teenagers arrested in connection with the incident.
Cheshire police and the Crown Prosecution Service have confirmed that there will be no criminal proceedings against three 18-year-old boys and a 16-year-old girl who were arrested in connection with the incident which took place on April 14 last year.
The four teenagers had denied the offences after previously appearing at Halton magistrates court and were due to face trial.
They had originally been accused of arson with intent to endanger life, but this was dropped to a lesser charge of arson with intent to destroy property in November last year.
But now all charges have been dropped.
A total of 70 firefighters were involved at the height of the blaze which destroyed the former Ritz and ABC Cinema building made famous by the Hitman and Her TV show featuring Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan.
Police investigating the crime say they have fresh lines of enquries to follow.
Cheshire police would still like to hear from anyone with information about the incident by calling 101 quoting incident 63 of April 15, 2015.
Firefighters tackle the blaze
1 Comment
I’m not surprised to hear this. What an ordeal for those kids to go through if they were innocent all along. Hope the real culprit is eventually revealed and convicted!
Due to the great cost and strain on the fire service caused by these increasingly often arson attacks on empty buildings isn’t it about time the owners were forced to keep these buildings secure or pay the costs when they don’t?