Arsonist Sentenced for Murder of Pensioner
Andrew Gorrell, a 55-year-old arsonist from Saltney, Flintshire, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of 82-year-old John Edwards. The attack occurred in the early hours of May 11 last year in Wednesbury, West Midlands, when Gorrell set a wheelie bin on fire and placed it to block the front door of the victim's home on Holyhead Road. The fire spread to the house, causing fatal injuries to Mr Edwards, who died in hospital two weeks later. Two other family members, the victim's sons Carl, 60, and Mark, 57, were left in a coma.
Evil Random Attack
During sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday, Judge Michael Chambers KC described Gorrell as a "highly dangerous individual" with an interest in fire. The judge noted that Gorrell was wearing a T-shirt referencing the horror film Nightmare on Elm Street, in which fire plays a prominent role. Prosecutor Rachel Brand KC revealed that Gorrell had a previous arson conviction from 1990, when he set fire to a club while working as a glass collector, receiving a 12-month custodial sentence. The court also heard that Gorrell has a long history of alcohol abuse and had been drinking before setting the fatal fire and three other nearby wheelie bin blazes.
Impact on Family
The judge stated that victim personal statements from family members, including one of Mr Edwards' grandchildren, demonstrated the "absolutely horrendous" impact of the crime. Gorrell was found guilty in February of murder, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, and arson with intent to endanger life. He was given concurrent jail sentences of up to 12 years for the non-murder offences. As he was led from the dock, Gorrell thanked the judge and turned to family members, saying: "I am really sorry."
Details of the Attack
Gorrell had traveled by train from Chester to Wolverhampton and then took a tram to Wednesbury in the early hours. The reason for his presence there was never fully explained, as he elected not to give evidence during the trial. Prosecutor Rachel Brand told the jury: "We don't know why he was wandering around Wednesbury in the middle of the night. We don't know why he decided to set a fire at the home of the Edwards family." When arrested and interviewed, Gorrell made no comment to all questions.
