Wigan fireman jailed for car blaze insurance fraud
A former firefighter, commended for saving a life, has been jailed for five years over an insurance fraud.
Anthony Murray, 43, of Orrell, Wigan, earlier admitted torching his BMW behind Skelmersdale fire station where he was the watch manager.
He was jailed by a Liverpool Crown Court judge for conspiracy to commit arson and two fraud offences.
Gareth Collier, 33, of Wigan, was jailed for two years and three months for his role.
Collier pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to commit arson and having an offensive weapon.
Murray, of Harswell Close, also admitted to attempting to pervert the course of justice.
He was awarded a Chief Fire Officer's Commendation in 2010 for saving the life of a 77-year-old woman in a fire in Skelmersdale.
Murray was suspended from duty when an investigation into the offences commenced and subsequently dismissed.