Birmingham Man Convicted in Fatal Flat Fire Attack
Stephen Dale, aged 47, has been found guilty of manslaughter and arson after setting fire to a flat in Highters Heath, Birmingham, leading to the death of 36-year-old Daniel Gardner. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of September 19 last year, when Dale doused the front of Gardner's address with petrol and ignited it, causing flames to rapidly spread through the property.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Flames quickly melted through the door and surged upstairs to Gardner's apartment, where he was trapped. Firefighters managed to rescue him from the living room, but he succumbed to his injuries in hospital shortly after, pronounced dead at 4.30am. Gardner, a father of three, suffered severe burn injuries and smoke inhalation, with soot in his airway indicating he was alive and breathing during the fire.
Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith described how Gardner had no hope of escape, as the exit was blocked by the ignited petrol. The court heard that Dale viewed Gardner as a 'significant problem' due to Gardner's previous relationship with Dale's girlfriend, with whom he shared two children.
Trial and Verdict at Birmingham Crown Court
Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury cleared Dale, of Cherrywood Road, Bordesley Green, of murder but convicted him of manslaughter and arson. His accomplice, 19-year-old Tyler Phythian from the same address, was found not guilty of the more serious charges but guilty of arson. Sentencing for both is scheduled for June 25.
The prosecution outlined that shortly before midnight on September 18, Dale and Phythian took a taxi from their HMO in Bordesley Green to an Asda, where they purchased a green can and filled it with five litres of petrol. They were then dropped off on Highters Heath Lane, near Gardner's flat in Saxons Way, and caught on CCTV at 12.48am on September 19.
Aftermath and Investigation
A short time later, a 'large flash' occurred as the fire was ignited, after which Dale and Phythian fled the scene and caught an Uber back to their HMO. A neighbour noticed the flames and called 999, leading to the discovery of Gardner unresponsive in his flat. After his arrest, it was alleged that Phythian confessed to two women that he had killed a man, claiming the initial plan was to 'blow a car up to teach him a lesson'.
Dale had 'lengthy conversations' with his girlfriend following the incident, during which he denied responsibility for the fire. The case highlights a tragic outcome of interpersonal conflict, resulting in a loss of life and legal consequences for those involved.
