A Swansea man’s desperate bid for a roof, meals, and a gym backfired spectacularly. Matthew Draper, at 40 years old, set fire to the accommodation he called home just to get back to prison life! Draper wanted those “three square meals a day” and gym access so much that he used an aerosol can to ignite lockers outside his hostel, run by The Wallich charity. Talk about a fiery plan!
The fire didn’t spread inside, thanks to the swift response from nearby firefighters who quickly doused the flames. Residents were evacuated, but Draper’s plot to secure jail time was still on track. He kept mum during questioning but didn’t hesitate to plead guilty to arson.
With a history sprinkled with 21 convictions over 61 offences, mostly theft, Draper is no stranger to the law. His last charge from October 2023 involved shoplifting women’s clothes. This time, with hopes of addressing lifelong struggles, he received a 27-month prison sentence. Half will be served behind bars, with the remainder out on license under watch.
It’s a wild tale of how one man’s quest for stability led him straight to Swansea Crown Court. What do you think of Draper’s drastic move? Share your thoughts below!