Bitter boyfriend killed girlfriend’s ex after setting his flat on fireplace due to grudge
A bitter bloke killed his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend by setting fire to his flat. Stephen Dale, 47, held a grudge against Daniel Gardner, 36.
By September last year Dale was in a relationship with Mr Gardner’s former partner, with whom the victim shared two children, a court was told.
Dale doused the door of Mr Gardner’s home in petrol and ignited it in the early hours of September 19 last year. Mr Gardner had no escape from the blaze and died at the scene in Highters Heath, Birmingham, while a neighbour had to be evacuated by firefighters as well, Birmingham Live reports.
Dale, of Bordesley Green, Birmingham, was convicted of manslaughter as well as arson being reckless as to endanger life. He was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday (July 6) for 19 years and received an extended licence period of five years.
The court was told that Dale had recruited Tyler Phythian, aged 19, from the same HMO address, to help. He was cleared of any homicide offences but found guilty of the arson charge.
He had also admitted assault for throwing a can at a woman’s face causing a cut in a separate incident in Stratford-upon-Avon in March 2024. Phythian was sentenced to four years detention.
Judge Andrew Smith said: “You accepted without questioning, I am satisfied, your partner’s assertions that Mr Gardner had treated at least one of the children badly.
“There is, I observe, absolutely no evidence to suggest that was true. In any event, you, I am sure, made plans to set fire to Mr Gardner’s home address.”
He added: “I sentence you Stephen Dale on the basis that you were the person who poured and ignited the petrol given your unchallenged evidence on the issue.
“You Tyler Phythian were plainly providing support throughout as demonstrated by you being the person to run from the scene holding the petrol can.”
Judge Smith concluded Dale had intended to ‘frighten’ Mr Gardner and perhaps cause him some harm, albeit not serious harm or his death.
He continued: “I am satisfied that there is a sustainable inference that Mr Gardner knew of the fire and did what he could to shelter from the effects of both smoke and flame without success.
“This must have been a terrifying experience before his collapse. As a minimum, I am satisfied that there would have been significant mental suffering caused to Mr Gardner.”
Dale will have to serve two thirds of the custodial term – around 12 years and eight months – before he is considered for release. Phythian could be released after serving 40% of his sentence.
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