A Totterdown man who started a fire outside Bristol flats was mentally unwell at the time. And now remorseful Kitwana Kafele is settled into a hospital care regime and set for therapy.
Kafele, 41, of Bath Road, pleaded guilty to attempted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered after an incident outside the Ledbury Road accommodation on December 20 last year. He appeared before Bristol Crown Court for sentence today (July 25, 2022).
The recorder Mr David Chidgey handed him a hospital order under the Mental Health Act. He did so after two doctors agreed Kafele was suffering from a recognised mental health disorder, and he also handed an indefinite restraining order banning Kafele from visiting Ledbury Road and named parties.
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Tabitha Macfarlane, prosecuting, told the court witnesses saw Kafele putting notes through letter boxes and knocking on doors at the flats. He was then seen to place a bicycle against the door of resident John Corbin before he ignited a line of fuel from the door to Mr Corbin's car.
Thankfully the fire was short-lived and fizzled out by itself, the court heard. Mr Corbin made a statement in which he said he was worried that if the fire had got out of hand, he or other residents may have been killed.
Caitlin Evans, defending, said: "The offence was down to his mental health state at the time. He has no intention of contacting Mr Corbin and no intention of going to Ledbury Road."
Miss Evans said her client felt settled in hospital. She told the court he looked forward to therapy and that an unrestricted hospital order was agreed by two doctors to be the best disposal of the case.
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