Man jailed after setting police van on fire during Leeds city centre demonstration

A man has been jailed after using an accelerant to set fire to a police van during a demonstration in Leeds city centre.

On November 1, 2025, emergency crews were called to Calverley Street, in Leeds, at 2.33pm to reports a van was on fire.

Calverley Street was cordoned off between Great George Street and The Headrow, where the demonstration had been taking place that day.

On Friday (Aug 21), Hakam Ghait, 29 of no fixed abode, appeared at Leeds Crown Court for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to arson with recklessness to whether life was endangered.

He was sentenced to ten years and eight months.

PC Charlotte Sampson, of Leeds CID, said: “Ghaith’s actions that day put himself and others in danger with him using accelerant to set a police vehicle on fire.

“He did not know if there was anyone in the vehicle at the time and given how busy the area was, there was also potential for others in the vicinity to be hurt.

“Thankfully, no one was injured but the damage caused to the vehicle took a vital resource out of service, impacting on our ability to be able to respond to incidents and protect the public."