Obsessive ex-boyfriend's Willenhall arson spree killed man, court hears
An obsessive ex-boyfriend went on an arson spree – killing one man and forcing others to jump from a block of flats, a court was told.
Aiden Elmore allegedly barricaded the exit to a block of flats in Willenhall with wheelie bins, causing mass panic among its residents including families and babies.
During the blaze 68-year-old Victor Moore collapsed and died.
Elmore left the scene and set two more small fires before going to his ex-girlfriend's house nearby, Wolverhampton Crown heard.
Moments before he was about to set a fire by the front door, a passing police car happened to spot him and Elmore ran off.
Prosecutor Miss Debbie Gould told the court: "Sadly, despite attempting to escape, Mr Moore walked out into the heart of the heat of the fire and collapsed and died."
The 21-year-old is accused of murder and three counts of arson – two with intent to endanger life and one being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Yesterday he pleaded guilty to one count of being reckless as to whether life was endangered, specifically for the fire at his ex's house in Wychbold Way, New Invention.
Elmore was described as 'obsessive' by ex Lauren Wellings, the court heard. Firefighters were alerted to the first fire – in flats in the junction of Southey Close and Tennyson Road – at 2.13am on October 8 last year. Elmore, aged 21 and of no fixed address but previously of Essington Road, denies murder, two counts of arson with intent to endanger life and one being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
For the full story see today's Express & Star.
