Tuesday 19th May 2026
Episode Number: 
510

An Obsession With Fire

Between January 2022 and December 2024, 65,053 arson offences were recorded across the UK police forces that provided data – yet only 4.83% of these cases resulted in charges. Arson is a terrifying and often deadly crime with incredibly low conviction rates. In this episode of the UK True Crime Podcast, I look at the case of Stefan Geary and a series of arson offences that affected communities across the North East. I examine the police investigation, the evidence presented in court, and the impact the fires had on local residents and emergency services. The episode also explores Geary’s background and the circumstances that led to his conviction.

Episode Credits:

Writing Credit: Chris Wood

You can buy Chris’s second book, ‘Death in the Theatre’ here: https://www.amazon.com/Death-Theatre-Chris-Wood/dp/1399009117

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