An arsonist who murdered a neighbour after beating him unconscious and setting fire to his caravan has been jailed for life. The victim's body was described as "smouldering and smoking" after being pulled from the fire.
Darren Smith, 43, killed Richard Thomas at the Beeches caravan park in Magor, Monmouthshire, on December 20, 2021, after an argument between the two men resulted in the murderer assaulting his victim, leaving him with a head injury and broken ribs. He then poured petrol on and around the victim before setting the caravan alight and leaving Mr Thomas to die before walking back to his own caravan.
The fire was discovered by the site owner's son Jason Pritchard who saw smoke coming from Mr Thomas' caravan and put the fire out with a hose. He then saw Mr Thomas lying on the floor and tried to pull him out, but the victim's skin degloved from his body. Emergency services were called to the caravan site and firefighters performed a "snatch recue" of Mr Thomas. His arms and legs were badly burnt and were beginning to "curl" , a sign of major tendon damage.
READ MORE: Get the latest court cases sent to your email inbox with our Crime & Punishment newsletter
Mr Thomas was doused in water as firefighters attempted to save his life and applied cooling gel packs. Two firefighters reported hearing the victim saying "stop hitting me" or "stop hurting me", but despite their best efforts Mr Thomas died as a result of his injuries.
In the meantime, Smith had run back to his own caravan and pretended he had just woken up when police went to speak to him. A firefighter noticed the defendant had black on his lips and nostrils, and Mr Pritchard told him he had seen him walking from Mr Thomas' caravan shortly before the fire was discovered. Smith responded by telling Mr Pritchard: "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" and referring to Mr Thomas "If he dies he dies." Smith later sent a text message to a friend saying "I have done something stupid".
Smith was arrested and initially denied any involvement but later changed his story and said he had been drinking Guinness with Mr Thomas, who he nicknamed Shrew, in his caravan when an argument broke out. He claimed Mr Thomas had started the fire after pouring the petrol and starting the fire with a lighter.
But his account was dismissed by a jury following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in November last year and he was found guilty of Mr Thomas' murder. A sentencing hearing at the same court on Friday heard a statement from the victim's brother Bryn Thomas read by junior prosecutor Dean Pulling.
It said: "All our lives have been out on hold since December 20, 2021, when news broke of Richard's horrific death in a caravan fire. We were in shock and unable to understand such a terrible event could have possibly happened to our brother. A couple of days later Gwent Police informed us they suspected he had been murdered and investigation into the death was underway.
"No one can put into words the pain, disbelief and anguish we felt following Richard's death. That horrific period of our lives remains with us daily and for the rest of our days. It will last several generations through the Thomas family.
"Richard was a much loved son, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin. Richard's untimely passing left us broken. The man responsible will never be able to comprehend the impact his actions have had on our family. Our lives will never be the same again. There is some modicum of comfort that this violent and dangerous individual will be behind bars and not able to harm another soul."
Bryn Thomas went on to say his brother's death had been particularly felt by his elderly mother and the victim's son. He added: "The absence of him in our lives, the anniversaries of his death and birth, and Christmases is heartfelt."
Prosecutor Michael Jones KC said Mr Thomas had been "deliberately set alight" by Smith when he was injured and incapacitated, and it would have been obvious to the defendant Mr Thomas would "not leave the caravan alive". Mr Jones also referred to previous violence from Smith, including an assault against the victim days before his murder. The court also heard Smith had started two fires near Mr Thomas' caravan days before, but these had burnt out.
In mitigation, David Elias KC said there was no "pre-planning or pre-meditation" to the killing of Mr Thomas. He said the court should consider his client's state at the time of the murder, who was suffering from anxiety and depression and regularly used alcohol and illicit substances.
Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyde-Clarke said: "You said 'No one was meant to die'. I find that to be true but there was obviously a high risk of death by lighting a fire close or setting fire to Mr Thomas himself while unconscious means the difference between intent to cause serious harm and intent to kill is not material in this case."
Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 25 years. He remained emotionless as the sentence was delivered in court. Judge Lloyd-Clarke expressed her "sincere condolences" to the family of Mr Thomas and commended Mr Pritchard's bravery in his actions, recommending him to receive an award of £1,000 from the High Sheriff of Gwent.
READ NEXT:
Rolex-wearing cocaine dealer who made £125,000 ordered to pay back £73,000
Teenage drug dealer tasered by police while trying to escape from raid
-
Former soldier found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting woman in her 70s
- Jeweller stole £26,000 from uncle's business to buy Clogau Gold to sell on eBay
You can sign up to our regular Crime and Punishment newsletter here while this interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area:
