Indefinite sentence for human torch attack

A market trader who turned a sleeping workmate into a human torch in a "cold blooded" attack after a trivial row was ordered to be locked up indefinitely by a judge.

Matthew Trow soaked James O'Brien with petrol and set light to his bed in the house they shared. The victim, aged 18, was engulfed in flames and jumped from a first floor window in Myatt Avenue, Bilston.

Trow, also 18, told police: "To be honest, I would not have cared if he had died."

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said: "Mr O'Brien woke to find the defendant standing over him, holding a petrol can and pouring fuel over the duvet before setting it alight, causing the bed to burst into flames.

"Mr O'Brien's left hand was also on fire and he rushed to the bathroom to put this out before dashing back through the flames in his bedroom to get out the window onto the conservatory roof to get assistance from a neighbour." Another fire in the hallway prevented him fleeing downstairs.

Trow, now of Rooker Crescent, Parkfields, collected a petrol can from the home of his father after arguing with the victim and then went to a garage to fill it with fuel.

He admitted arson with intent to endanger life and causing grievous bodily harm on December 9 and was ordered to be detained indefinitely for public protection by Judge Robin Onions who said: "This was a cold blooded, premeditated and chilling offence without any sign of remorse." Trow cannot apply for parole for at least three years.

Mr O'Brien, now of Lozells, Birmingham, but still working at the market, was in hospital for four days for skin grafts to a badly burned left hand that will be scarred for life.

As he helped Trow put up a fruit and veg stall at the market they had a row over how to install it. Mr O'Brien recalled. "The bed exploded into a fireball. My left hand was also on fire because it had got petrol over it. I grabbed hold of the blazing duvet and threw it at him.

"I dashed to the bathroom and put a towel round my hand to put out the fire." He also suffered burns to the ear, nose and elbow.

Mr O'Brien said: "I am very lucky to be alive."