6th May 2008
Man found guilty of manslaughter
Following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court Stuart Mark Willard has been found guilty of manslaughter in relation to the death of John Skilton (46) of Bridge Close, Tonbridge.
Stuart Willard (22) a labourer of Lodge Oak Lane, Tonbridge, was also found guilty (on Friday 2 May) of 6 offences of arson with intent to endanger life/reckless endangerment of life and 3 of arson. The fires Willard has been found guilty of setting all took place in Tonbridge between August 2005 – January 2007.
Mr Skilton died in hospital in January 2007 following a fire at his home in Tonbridge.
Saying he wholeheartedly agreed with the jury’s decision His Honour Judge Andrew Patience sentenced Stuart Willard to an indeterminate custodial sentence for the offence of manslaughter. HH Patience said Willard was a dangerous man and must serve a minimum of 8 years and also gave sentences of 4 and 3 years for the arson offences, to run concurrently.
Senior Investigating Officer Det Chief Insp Mick Atkinson said: ‘The last 15 months have been very difficult for John Skilton’s family. John has been taken from them because of a mindless criminal act committed by Stuart Willard.
John died in terrible circumstances, trapped in an upstairs flat by a raging fire. He was overcome by the effects of smoke and never recovered. He died two days later.
The police investigation was difficult but through the efforts of officers from the Force’s Major Crime Department and West Kent, a detailed and painstaking inquiry showed that Stuart Willard was not only guilty of the killing of John Skilton but 9 other fires in the Tonbridge area.
The investigation would not have been successful without the support and guidance of the Kent Fire and Rescue Service. The Tonbridge Station Commander and his officers provided vital evidence that played an important part in the trial.
With the help of the Fire Service we were able to reconstruct the events in of the fire at Bridge Close enabling us to understand what may have happened. In working together emergency services and other agencies can combat serious crime.
John Skilton’s family will never forget the circumstances of his death but I hope that they can take some comfort from this verdict and sentence.’
Assistant Director Steve Griffiths, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Kent Fire and Rescue Service is satisfied with this verdict as it puts out a strong message that arson is a crime and that fires of this nature, as this case highlights, can have tragic, fatal consequences.
This case also represents how successful partnership working can be in the investigation of deliberate fires. KFRS works alongside other agencies including Kent Police, the CPS, the Forensic Science Service and local, district and county councils to investigate these fires, identify those responsible and actively seek prevention and education opportunities.
One of many initiatives we have in place at KFRS is a dedicated education team that visits secondary schools to discuss arson and its consequences, a specialist youth team which works with offenders or those likely to offend and firesetter advisors who can work with, typically, younger children who have shown an interest in fires. We also fund schemes which remove the fuel which could be used to set fires, such as refuse removal schemes.
The message is clear - arson is a crime. Deliberate fires are destructive and dangerous and can lead to serious injury, and even, as seen here, death.”
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