The four teenagers who carried out an arson attack on the historic Grade-II* listed Rheola House in the Neath Valley have been sentenced to three years detention in a young offenders institution. Kyle Renzoni, Ellis Harding, Yian Foster, and Evan Traynor wore balaclavas and filmed themselves as they set fire to the manor house, an act a judge described as an "unfathomable display of unspeakable wickedness".
The Arson Attack on Rheola House
The group drove to the house in Renzoni's car and put on balaclavas before using a crowbar to force entry to the former servants' quarters of the mansion. Cardboard and an accelerant were used to start the fire, and pieces of wood were then used to feed the flames. As the fire took hold, the group fled but stopped to start a grass fire in front of the house.
Despite the efforts of firefighters, the flames spread from the servants' quarters to the rest of the building and eventually destroyed the roof and floors, leaving only the "outer envelope" of walls standing. The attack took place on August 18 during the summer heatwave.
Sentencing at Swansea Crown Court
The defendants, along with a youth who cannot be named because of his age, had previously pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. They were each sentenced to three years detention in a young offenders institution, with one-third discounts for their guilty pleas. None has any previous convictions.
Judge Geraint Walters said the defendants had carried out a carefully planned and deliberate arson attack on a listed building. He told them: "Your actions can only be described as an unfathomable display of unspeakable wickedness."
Background of the Defendants
David Singh, for Renzoni, said his client was "absolutely devastated" at the impact of his actions on the community and his family. He said Renzoni has a good work ethic and had taken steps to join the armed forces.
Ian Wright, for Harding, said the defendant feels "genuine regret, shame and remorse" for his actions. He said Harding has ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, and Tourette syndrome, and had been rejected from the Army based on his diagnoses.
Sarah John, for Foster, said her client had been exposed to drugs in the womb and, in the words of the pre-sentence report, was "born addicted to heroin". She said Foster has undiagnosed ADHD and bipolar disorder along with cognitive functioning and learning difficulties.
Georgia Donohue, for Traynor, said he was "far more immature" than his age of 18 and has undiagnosed ADHD and oppositional defiance disorder. She said Traynor had failed the Army medical and made "a terrible mistake" on the day in question.
Future of Rheola House Uncertain
The court heard the owners of Rheola had been planning a multi-million pound boutique hotel and leisure complex with scores of holiday cabins on the site. A detailed assessment of the gutted building is currently underway, and it is not known if the house can be saved or viably restored.
Built between 1812 and 1818, Rheola House was designed by the architect John Nash, whose work includes designs for London's Marble Arch, the redesign of Buckingham Palace, and the remodelling of Brighton's Royal Pavilion. The house was awarded the highest level of listing by Welsh heritage body Cadw as "an important early 19th-century country house in the picturesque tradition". The juvenile defendant had previously been given a referral order at Swansea Youth Court, and Judge Walters said justices had been wrong to sentence him alone and should have sent the matter to the higher court so all defendants could be sentenced together.
