Killer arsonist 'obsessed with fire' jailed for 13 years for pensioner's deathA killer who was "obsessed with fire" has been jailed for more than 13 years for causing the death of a pensioner in a Coventry flat fire.
Richard Newing set a mobility scooter alight outside the home of Malcolm Turner in Foleshill, which trapped the pensioner inside, unable to escape.
Not knowing whether or not he had killed anyone, Newing walked to nearby Foleshill Road and started a second fire, which again spread to a home.
Fortunately the occupants managed to flee the property, although Mr Turner was sadly not so lucky.
The 69-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the first fire in Jenner Street in the early hours of August 20, 2019.
Police immediately began their hunt for the culprit and a massive CCTV trawl eventually led to them placing Newing at the scene and he was arrested two days later.
In February 2020 he appeared at Warwick Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Newing had previously denied more serious charges of murder and arson with intent to endanger life, and the Crown Prosecution Service accepted his pleas to the lesser charges.
His sentencing has been delayed numerous times and finally took place today (March 5) and Newing was given what is known as an extended prison sentence which includes a jail term of 13-and-a-half years.
Because it is part of an extended sentence, he will have to serve at least two-thirds of that period, and will then only be released when the Parole Board considers it safe to do so.
Once he is released, he will be on licence for the rest of the prison term and for a further five years.