Mini arson attack causes maximum damage

Jak’s burned-out Mini

A DEVASTATED young motorist devoted two years to building his car - only to find it engulfed in flames three weeks after he first drove it.

Jak Maden (20), of High Crompton, was out with friends in the early hours of Tuesday morning when he heard his pride and joy had been set on fire. When he arrived home in Park Cottages, he found neighbours crowding the street and the white Mini on fire.

Jak, who works at Asda in Shaw, said: “If I had been 10 minutes earlier I would have seen them at it. It’s heartbreaking; I just went numb. There’s nothing left of it now. It’s devastating after the hours we’ve devoted to it. This was my first proper car of my own.

“I’m going to look at getting a new car, one that people aren’t jealous of, but I’m not going to build one again until I have somewhere safe to store it. I don’t want this to happen again.”

Jak bought the shell of the classic Mini and rebuilt the car with dad David.

A police spokesman said the blaze is being treated as arson.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.