Man jailed for more than four years after explosion in flat

A man who deliberately caused an explosion in his flat leaving himself seriously injured has been sentenced at court.

William Patrick pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered at Leicester Crown Court in October last year and was sentenced at the same court today (Tuesday 28 January) to four years and three months in prison.

Police received a call at 4.07pm on Wednesday 24 January 2024 following a report of an explosion in Kelbrook Close, Leicester.

Officers attended, along with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service, to find substantial blast damage to a ground floor flat.

The explosion had caused the front windows to be blown out into the street, the front door blown off its hinges, deformation of internal wall, which dislodged the radiators, and fire damage.

Damage externally to the communal building included damage to the security doors and broken ceiling tiles on the top floor above the stairwell.

The single occupant of the flat was William Patrick, who made his way outside after he sustained significant burn injuries.

He was assisted by members of the public and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

On his discharge, Patrick, 31, now of Samson Road, Leicester admitted to police in interview to deliberately cutting through the main gas pipe in his flat.

He said he waited around 30 minutes before using a lighter to ignite the gas despite hearing only moments before, his neighbour shout there was gas and to evacuate.

The Crown Prosecution Service concluded that Patrick actions were reckless in endangering lives, and he was charged with this offence to appear at court.

Detective Constable Kevin Sharkey, who was the investigating officer, said: "The circumstances of this incident were complex but Patrick’s actions ultimately put people’s lives at risk of serious harm and could have been fatal.

“Patrick himself suffered serious injury and he also left many neighbours terrified, several families displaced from their homes, and caused thousands of pounds of damage to council owned property.

“Please know that if you do need help, support or advice, it is available to you. You can contact the Mental Health Central Access Point on 0808 800 3302, this service operates 24/7 seven days a week or visit Support is also available from The Tomorrow Project on 0116 309 0171 or at https://harmless.org.uk/the-tomorrow-project-3/”