Pub Heater Explosion Trial: Defendant Denies 'Showing Off' Allegations
A man has firmly denied accusations of "showing off" after allegedly pouring fuel onto a tabletop heater that subsequently exploded at a Suffolk pub, leaving two women with serious and life-altering burn injuries. The incident, which occurred during a post-lockdown gathering, has led to a trial at Ipswich Crown Court where harrowing details have emerged.
The Fateful Evening at The King's Head
Dale Carter, a 30-year-old from Earls Colne, Suffolk, was socialising with friends at the King's Head pub in Great Cornard on the evening of April 24, 2021. The group, which included cousins April and Ashleigh Charlesworth, were enjoying their first night out following Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, seated at tables in the pub's car park.
As the evening was cold, Sam Charlesworth, April's brother, brought two portable heaters to the gathering. After difficulties with a small gas camping stove, he produced a liquid fuel heater, lighting it with ethanol, though it provided minimal warmth. The court heard that Mr Charlesworth claimed to have placed the fuel bottle in a bag before briefly stepping away from the table.
The Explosive Incident and Immediate Aftermath
Prosecutor Dingle Clark presented the case that Carter, in a "very relaxed and fooling around" manner, poured ethanol onto the heater's burner. Witness Mark Lawrence, who was April's boyfriend at the time, described seeing Carter splash fuel from a bottle on the table onto the heater, causing a flame to flash out. A second attempt allegedly resulted in the flame being "sucked into the bottle," causing it to explode violently, transforming into what was described as "a rocket" and igniting the table.
The explosion created a fireball that engulfed the immediate area. Hairdresser April Charlesworth, 31, suffered severe burns to her neck, hands, and face. Her cousin, former children's nurse Ashleigh Charlesworth, 32, sustained such serious injuries that she required ventilation in hospital. Carter himself suffered burns to his hair and face.
Contrasting Accounts and Emotional Testimony
Carter denies two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm. He told the court that he was merely attempting to top up the heater with fuel, pouring it over "white material" in the centre as he had seen Sam Charlesworth do previously. He rejected suggestions from the prosecution that he had been "showing off" or acting recklessly.
Sam Charlesworth gave evidence stating he had joked with Carter about "not setting anybody on fire" and claimed the defendant had waved his hand through the flame twice, declaring himself "Iron Man." He maintained he had warned Carter to be careful with the heater and fuel, a point Carter's defence counsel, Michael Epstein, challenged during cross-examination.
Life-Altering Injuries and Psychological Impact
The court heard poignant testimony about the lasting physical and psychological effects on the victims. April Charlesworth now has to wear compression garments on her face for 23 hours each day to aid healing and reduce scarring. Ashleigh Charlesworth described the mental difficulty of recovery, stating, "It's taken a lot of reflection to know that I'm still here and alive." She has become more cautious in social situations, particularly around alcohol.
Witness Rebecca Robertson recounted the chaotic scene, describing how she saw one of the women with "flames to her face and hands" before she fell to the ground attempting to extinguish herself. She assisted Ashleigh, who was screaming for help and calling for her father, her hand visibly badly burned.
Defendant's State and Aftermath
Firefighter Matthew Walker, in written evidence read to the jury, stated that Carter "seemed inebriated but was coherent" at the scene and was worried about being blamed. Carter's ex-girlfriend, Sophie Brown, testified that he was "broken" after the incident, becoming withdrawn and sad. PC Bothwell recalled Carter apologising profusely in hospital after spotting April's boyfriend, raising his voice to express regret for "messing up the birthday night."
Carter himself expressed feeling "broken" and "lost," suffering from anxiety since the traumatic event. The jury is expected to begin their deliberations on Thursday, weighing the conflicting accounts of that cold April evening which turned a celebratory gathering into a scene of horror and lasting injury.
