A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after a violent spree in Burton-on-Trent where he attacked two women with bottles and subsequently set his own flat on fire.
Violent Night in Station Street
The incidents unfolded on the night of March 11 this year. Kyle Purcell first confronted a woman on Station Street, pushing her to the ground before throwing a beer bottle at her. The bottle narrowly missed the victim, shattering on the ground beside her.
Within minutes, Purcell targeted a second woman as she attempted to get into an Uber. He grabbed her and swung a bottle directly at her head. The woman was forced to quickly move out of the way to avoid being struck by the weapon.
Arson and Arrest
After the attacks, Purcell fled the scene. He then returned to his flat in the town and set it on fire. Emergency services raced to the address. Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the blaze.
Purcell was later found guilty following a trial at Stafford Crown Court. The conviction, delivered on Monday, November 10, included two counts of assault by beating, one count of threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place, and one count of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
Police Condemn 'Lasting Effect' on Victims
Detective Constable Reece Hingley, from Staffordshire Police's criminal investigations department, commented on the case. He stated that although Purcell did not cause serious physical injuries, his actions were profoundly disturbing.
“Purcell assaulted and threatened two women who were alone at night and put himself and others in serious danger when he set a fire in his room,” DC Hingley said. “His actions will no doubt have a lasting effect on the victims and could have easily resulted in far more serious physical harm.”
Both women involved in the attacks were left understandably shaken by their ordeal. The court's nine-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Purcell's violent and reckless behaviour.
