Pair Jailed For Setting Friend Alight

Sat, 04 September 2010 Courtesy of: GMP

Two men who set fire to a friend during a drunken prank have been sentenced.

Rohan Foley and Jack William Brown, from East Sussex, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square.

Foley was jailed for 14 months and Brown was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment at a Young Offenders' Institute.

Foley and the victim, a 19-year-old man, were friends who studied at the University of Chester.

On Wednesday 9 June 2010, the pair travelled to Manchester with a group of friends to celebrate Foley's 21st birthday and stayed at a flat on Berry Street in the city centre. Brown was Foley's friend and came to the party as well.

The group bought Foley a bottle of rum for as a present and they started drinking before going out for the night.

At about 2am on Thursday 10 June Foley, Brown and the victim went back to the flat with some friends.

The victim fell asleep in the lounge while Foley and Brown were drinking.

The pair discussed a prank referred to as a 'flame thrower' just before the alcohol was poured onto the victim and a flame was lit.

The victim was immediately set alight. He was taken to hospital with severe burns to his upper body. He remained unconscious for 10 days in the intensive care unit is now recovering at home and receiving treatment. He will be scarred for life.

The Fire Service attended and after police inquiries were launched Foley and Brown were arrested.

Detective Constable Emma Taylor: "Rohan effectively ruined his own birthday party after the pair caused life-changing injuries to the victim.

"This may well have been a prank that went wrong in a drink-fuelled moment of madness, and the pair may not have wanted to cause any harm, but their reckless actions have had devastating consequences.

"Needless to say this case sends a strong message about the dangers of alcohol particularly spirits, which are highly flammable.

"Both of these men came to this country to better themselves and now they have been sent to custody, where they will have plenty of time to think about their act of utter stupidity against a friend."