**Teenagers Admit to Arson at Llangefni’s Historic Shire Hall Causing Devastating Multi-Million Pound Damage**
A massive fire at the Grade II-listed Shire Hall in Llangefni, Anglesey, left the historic building severely damaged, with repair costs estimated to be over £2 million. The blaze, which tore through the landmark in December 2023, was caused by three local teenagers who have now appeared before Caernarfon Youth Court and admitted to arson.
Emergency crews faced a “major incident” during the early hours of 17 December when flames engulfed the prominent building on Glanhwfa Road. The incident prompted North Wales Police to close roads and deploy significant resources as fire crews battled through the night to control the inferno. Firefighters managed to keep the blaze from spreading to nearby homes, although the dramatic scene drew widespread concern from residents, with some hosing down their own vehicles as a precaution.
The court heard how the three 17-year-olds, whose identities are protected due to their age, had entered the Shire Hall with the intention of exploring the disused property. It was revealed in court that the teenagers ignited old furniture inside the building, resulting in catastrophic consequences. Prosecutor James Ashton told magistrates that the emergency response required “considerable effort” and resources, highlighting the gravity of the damage caused.
The owner of the Shire Hall, Tristan Haynes, who bought the building from Llangefni Council in 2019, described the incident as leaving him in a state of “utter shock and disbelief.” He had been hoping to convert the hall into business units or accommodation, but his plans were halted initially by the pandemic and now by the devastation caused by the fire. In a victim impact statement, Mr Haynes outlined the personal and financial toll, recounting the “inner turmoil” and ongoing distress the incident has inflicted on him.
While all three defendants pleaded guilty to arson, each sought to distance himself from the most destructive acts. The court was told, via mobile phone evidence, that the group had been drawn to the derelict building, known locally as a hotspot for trespassing youths. One boy admitted filming another lighting papers but denied lighting the fire himself, with his solicitor characterising the act as the behaviour of a “bunch of idiots”. The second teenager also denied playing an active role in starting the fire, claiming he was merely tagging along with friends and even attempted to put out the fire by stamping on it and urinating on the flames.
The third admitted to being present “under pressure” from peers, according to his legal counsel, who emphasised his lack of intent for the situation to escalate as it did. All legal representatives underlined their clients’ remorse, with one stating the fire “got completely out of hand” and served as a harsh life lesson for those involved.
Given the boys’ ages and the structure of the youth justice system, the court imposed six-month referral orders for each, requiring them to work with the youth justice service. Each defendant was also ordered to pay court costs and a referral fee but were spared from paying direct compensation for the damage—capped at £5,000 in the youth court and deemed unsuitable in this case given the lack of evidence regarding their individual means.
The loss of Shire Hall, built in 1899 and once serving as a courtroom, struck a chord throughout the Llangefni community and has been widely reported in both local and national press. The incident has rekindled discussion about the need to protect historic buildings from unauthorised entry and the dangers posed by such reckless behaviour.
Despite these events, Haynes’s future for the property remains uncertain given the scale of the damage and the pressure of necessary repairs. Meanwhile, local authorities and residents alike are reflecting on how best to educate young people about the very real consequences of actions taken in moments of “exploration” or peer pressure.
This case also highlights the challenges posed to youth courts, which must balance justice and rehabilitation for offenders with the deeply felt impact upon victims and the broader community. The hope remains that lessons have been learned, and steps can be taken to safeguard both historic sites and local youth from similar mistakes in future.