Bradford man admits setting fire to Ilkley Moor

Mohammed Zulkifl, 20, of Rufford Street, Barkerend, tried to stamp out the flames but then ran away, his barrister told Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Zulkifl pleaded guilty to committing arson on April 20 in that without lawful excuse he destroyed by fire a part of Ilkley Moor belonging to Bradford Metropolitan Council intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

Kate Batty, representing Zulkifl at the short hearing, asked for a report from the probation service before he is sentenced.

She said he was a young man who had never been in trouble before.

Mrs Batty asked for a longer adjournment than usual because she was considering whether a medical report was also required.

Zulkifl, who wore a white T-shirt, dark casual jacket and black tracksuit bottoms for the hearing, will return to the court to be sentenced on August 19.

The hearing, to be listed before the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, is expected to last around 45 minutes.

Mrs Batty asked Judge Neil Davey QC to enlarge Zulkifl’s unconditional bail until the next hearing.

Louise Pryke, for the prosecution, said she had no objection.

Mrs Batty then told the court: “He thought he had put the fire out but then he ran away.”

Judge Davey told Zulkifl he had pleaded guilty to “an extremely serious offence.”

A report from the probation service would give the Recorder “accurate and up to date information” about Zulkifl.

Judge Davey warned him not to read anything into the case being adjourned for a probation report and the granting of bail.

“The obvious sentence is a substantial sentence of imprisonment. You must be under no illusions about that,” he said.

On April 20, the Telegraph & Argus reported that 14 fire engines were in attendance on Ilkley Moor fighting blazes that broke out in more than one location.

A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said at the time: "Crews have used beaters, aqua backpacks, leaf blowers and ultra light portable pumps to extinguish the fire.

"Fire crews, specialist Wildfire Officers and equipment was mobilised from around the county."

Since then, Bradford Council has proposed a Public Space Protection Order to ban the lighting of fires or barbecues on Ilkley Moor, Baildon Moor and the moorlands around Haworth.

Councillors voted to push forward with the order at a meeting last month and it went out to a four week public consultation.

The move came after a number of devastating fires on Ilkey Moor led to calls by West Yorkshire Fire to get tougher on people whose reckless acts could severely damage the important moorland and put nearby homes at risk.

The order would ban “the lighting of fires; barbecues; Chinese lanterns; fireworks or using any article/object which causes a naked flame and which poses a risk of fire on the districts moorland - including Ilkley Moor, Baildon Moor and Haworth Moor.”